Geraldine Pappalardo

Beloved by many in Northeast Ohio and Southwest Florida, “Gerrie” was born January 13, 1932, and quickly learned the life lessons of a close-knit family, and loyal friends growing up in the Collinwood neighborhood on Burnside Avenue. As a young woman she worked alongside her family members at General Electric’s Nela Park, the world’s first industrial park.

Gerrie attended grade school at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. She graduated from Collinwood High School, where she met and married the love of her life, William C. Pappalardo, thanks to an introduction by her best friend Mary Pappalardo (Jackson), Bill’s sister. Gerrie was blessed with many life-long friends from her childhood in Collinwood, and many were daughters and sons of immigrant families who came to Cleveland to pursue the American Dream. Her full and joyful life was based on family and community values, and compassion for others, all lessons she learned during the Great Depression. Gerrie and Bill married in 1955, and their life trajectory blossomed around a family business, Papp’s Body Shop, Inc., one of the first auto body repair facilities in Euclid. In 1959, the couple began a new chapter in their lives, moving to suburban Wickliffe and creating a loving home for son William A., daughter Patrice, and son Dino. They raised their family as they’d been raised, with care and devotion, married for 60 glorious years, all while living in Wickliffe. Like many Buckeyes, with husband Bill she became a long-time snowbird with a winter home in Naples, Florida, enjoying golf, Florida sunsets, and friends from across the world. She continued to play golf until her 92nd year! Her selfless examples of charity, love for her large Italian family, and country, will remain forever in our hearts. Memory is a golden chain that death cannot break. Beloved wife of William Pappalardo (deceased); dearest mother of William (Debra); Patrice Kenyon (James); and Dino (Lynn); devoted grandmother of Nicholas Goryance (Jess), William Kenyon, Wesley Kenyon, and Halle Pappalardo; great grandmother of Nicholas, Joey, and Adeline Goryance; dear sister of Ralph (Jean) (both deceased), Joseph (Ida Mae) (both deceased), and Sandy Prekel (Gary) (both deceased); loving daughter of the late Katherine (nee Minnillo) and Joseph; beloved aunt, great-aunt, and godmother of many.

The family will receive friends at DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home, 5975 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Hts. (at Lander Rd.), on Tuesday, August 18, 4 to 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 15712 Kipling Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. (Please Meet at Church) Interment All Souls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, to honor her memory please consider contributing to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences, www.diciccoandsonsfh.com