Geralyn "Gerry" Wajda

Gerry passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2026.

Gerry Wajda (nee Geralyn Zeinz), 71, born on September 17, 1954 to the late, Robert Joseph Zeinz Sr and the late, Shirley Ann Super Zeinz. She grew up in Arlington Heights with 5 brothers and 5 sisters. The one person who wanted out of the cold, out of winter, out of traffic, out of crowds….Moved 1 mile from home to Winston Park in Palatine. Everyone else in the family moved at least an hour away.

As - a family the Zeinz’ spent summer weekends at Gram’s and Gramp’s lake house on Lake Marie on the chain O’Lakes . So her love of sunshine and water was instilled early on.

Gerry loved golfing with friends. It’s not the score that mattered, it was the

Comrades, the scenery, the weather, the competition and the silliness of trying to get the ball in the cup that made her love the game. Even when needing oxygen 24/7 Gerry strapped her POC in a backpack and kept on swinging.

Some folks didn’t know how to interpret her humor, but when you had a friend in Gerry It was for a lifetime.

Gerry, widowed as of November 3, 2025, wife of the late, Paul B Wajda for 45 years and was just starting the mourning process.

Gerry was diagnosed with Pulmanary Fibrosis about 3 years ago and knew that she would never be cured an it would only get worse. She put up a good fight until the end.

Though Gerry never had any children of her own, she did have 22 nieces and nephews and 22 grandnieces and grandnephews. Over 75 folks make up her immediate family. Everyone looked forward to receiving her homemade birthday, anniversary and special occasions cards, as this is what Gerry loved doing.

Gerry retired early from the workforce at the age of 62 after spending 30 years at Boise Cascade Office Products as a space planner, interior designer, salesperson, project manager, and software trainer in their commercial furniture arena. She also spent 9 years at RPC Software as a software tester for the commercial furniture market and as a customer service rep. She took a leave of absence in 2015 to be a care giver to Paul after major surgery where he was not expected to live. The two of them were given a gift of the next 10 years of 24/7 time together.

Favorite and most beautiful place on earth: Maui. Paul and Gerry traveled to Maui on the average of every other year having made the journey over 20 times. When you walked into their house you were pleasantly surprised by the tasteful Hawaii photos, pictures and accessories. Even her email address and car license plate reflected Maui. Favorite flower: hibiscus.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/info/today

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at St Thomas of Villanova Catholic Church, 11201 E Anderson Dr, Palatine, IL 60074, from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM.

Friends and family are invited to gather near the main entrance of St Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL, at 12:30 PM for the final committal service.