Mrs. Geraldine Iris Marshall

MSM, PhD, UEL

Born in 1931 in Battleford Sask. Geri

enjoyed a happy childhood in spite of the

great depression. An only child and

grandchild of pioneer parents and

grandparents, a descendant of the

Cunningham's (Lord Selkirk Settlers) and

Bradley's (United Empire Loyalists), making

Geri a proud an 8th generation Canadian.

Early Life:

Geri excelled at sports and music while

studying at Notre Dame de Sion Academy in

Saskatoon and Sacred Heart College in

Regina for senior matriculation.

She graduated in nursing from the

Vancouver General Hospital, where upon

graduation, she met and married a young

physician, Dr. Keith Hutchins. After a year in Toronto they

moved to a new mining community owned

by Noranda Mines located in the deep

coniferous forests of northern Ontario in a

town called Manituwadge.

"I often called on the strength of my

pioneering ancestors who contributed

much to Canada's early development"

recalled Geri.

After six challenging years there, Geri and

her family moved back to Toronto where

she continued her studies in the sciences

specializing in Psychiatry at the U of

Toronto and Ryerson University.

In 1988, Geri Founded the "Emerald Ball", a

fundraiser to establish a chair in psychiatric

research at the University British Columbia.

In 2002 Geraldine Cunningham Marshal was

awarded the Meritorious Medal of Honour

by The Governor General of Canada. The

citation noted "her efforts and

determination contributed greatly to the

increased awareness of mental illness and

education for parents, consumers and

mental health workers in Canada and

abroad."

With her training in science and nursing she

focused on research and care in the field of

schizophrenia. Her record of achievement is

outstanding and includes the publication

and distribution of her educational material

on schizophrenia. The World Health

Organization translated her material into 14

languages and it has been distributed

around the world.

The World Association of Psyco-Social

Rehabilitation (WAPR) appointed Geri to

their board of directors where she spoke

frequently at conferences around the

world, as well as at the Annual U.N.

Luncheon in New York.

Her work in spreading education in the field

of mental illness took her to many countries

including Korea, Japan, South Africa, Kenya,

Uganda, India, Russia, China, Israel,

Hungary, Ireland and Bermuda.

In 1997 Geri was inducted into the

International Honor Society of Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau International - celebrating

nursing excellence in scholarship,

leadership, and service. The same year she

was inducted into the society of Canadian

Women of Achievement, honoring the

volunteer efforts of women.

Throughout the province of BC Geri set up

support groups, notably "Partners In Care"

fostering Schizophrenia education.

These innovative accomplishments in a

complex area of mental health reflect Geri's

strong, imaginative persona and tenacity.

Geri continued to reside in Vancouver and

remained close to her 2 sons Peter Hutchins

Robertson and Spencer Hutchins who have

developed the Bradley Organic Farm near

Pemberton BC.

Other surviving family members include

Spencer and Lorne Bradley from Vernon BC.

Geri is predeceased by her beloved

daughter Sarah and her husbands Dr. Keith

Hutchins, Dr. Patrick Robertson, and David

Marshall.

Geri often said she could have gone to the

top of a mountain by helicopter, but she

preferred the more scenic route with all its

sunshine and shadows.

By request there will be no funeral.

Donations may be made if you wish to the

CNIB or the Canadian Cancer Society.