Geraldine Etoy Stanard

Geraldine Etoy Stanard Obituary: Son; Bob Stanard & Wife Bonnie, Riverside, CA Deceased Daughter; Barbara Lewis Grand Children; Kelly James & Partner Rob Schlesenger, Long Beach, CA Troy Stanard & Wife Carla, Daughter's; Natalia & Isabela, Torrance, CA Todd Stanard & Wife Traci, Son's; Trenon & Taithn, Millington, NJ Tricia (Stanard) Kesselring & Husband Bill, Son's; Jaston & Tobi, Arroyo Grande, CA Deceased Long Time Partner for over 27 years; Orval Gillett Son; Bill Gillett & Wife Judi, Porterville, CA Grandchildren; Bradley Gillett & Natalie (Gillett) Penner Daughter; Sue (Gillett) Boydstun, Fresno, CA Grandchildren; Lauri Eaton, John Boydstun & Amy Millis Daughter; Kay Gillett Grandchildren; John N. Dungan II & John S. Dungan III (Tripper) Son; Robert Gillett & Wife Arlina, Porterville, CA Grandchildren; Gregory Gillett, Christina (Gillett) Sampietro, Robert P. Gillett & Kathryn Gillett Geraldine (Gerry) Stanard passed away on Thursday November 2, 2017. She was born the daughter of Etoy Lee Briscoe and Toy James Carter in Long Beach, California, April 27, 1921 and lived in Santa Monica, Riverdale, Corona, Orange, California. She graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1941. She married LeRoy Andrew (Andy) Stanard, from Riverdale in September 1942. They had a son, Robert in July 1943 and daughter, Barbara in October 1944. Gerry worked for Rohr Aircraft for eleven years, Naval Weapons Center three years and Orange County Unified School District (OCUSD) where she retired after 20 years of service as a secretary in the Special Education Department. Gerry was a devoted league bowler, a dedicated single Mother and a gracious, loving person. Occasionally caring for victims of tragedies through cooking meals and caring for their children while they recovered. She was a beloved mother (Bob & Barbara), grandmother (Kelly, Troy, Todd & Tricia) and great grandmother (Natalia, Trenon, Isabela, Jaston, Taithn, & Toby). In 1970, Gerry met her long time partner of 27 years, Orval "Orv" Gillett. They lived together in Orange when they both retired. They loved to travel and spent a lot of time RVing all over the country, they also attended several Olympic Games together. Together Orv and Gerry treated all seven of the combined children and additional grandchildren as one big family. Geraldine Etoy Stanard Family Life Story: Geraldine (Gerry) was born the daughter of Etoy Lee Briscoe and Toy James Carter in Long Beach, California, April 27, 1921. She grew up in Santa Monica, California and graduated from Santa Monica High School. After High School, in 1941 she was introduced to her neighbor's brother LeRoy Andrew Stanard (Andy). Andy was from Riverdale, California. She moved to Riverdale and they were married in September 1942. They had a son, Robert in July 1943 and daughter, Barbara in October 1944. They lived in Riverdale 14 years. In 1954 Gerry and Andy separated. Gerry and the children then moved in with her mother in Corona, California where they lived for a few years. While living in Corona, she worked for Rohr Aircraft for eleven years, Naval Weapons Center three years and then moved to Orange, California in 1969 to assist her aging mother. She then started working for the Orange County Unified School District (OCUSD) where she ultimately retired after 20 years of service as a secretary in the Special Education Department. Gerry was a devoted single Mother and did the best she could helping her two children through school and graduating high school. She started bowling with neighbors and friends she met through the children's activities. She joined a Corona Evening League and became very good. She continued her bowling in Orange, bowling in evening leagues with co workers. In 1970, Gerry met her long time partner Orval "Orv" Gillett while watching her Son-in-law play the piano in a nightclub. Orv asked her to dance and their 27 year long relationship started. Orv was a teacher and track coach where he lived at Porterville High School in California. For many years, they managed a long distance relationship. They finally moved in together in Orange when they both retired. They loved to travel and spent a lot of time RVing all over the country. With Orv's passion for track, they also visited other countries for the Olympic Games.. Orv and Gerry treated all seven of the combined children and additional grandchildren as one big family. When Orv suddenly passed away in 1997, the love and support from Orv's family helped Gerry mourn his passing.. Gerry also had several "Old Bitties", her friends from working at OCUSD The Old Bitties would regularly attend theatres and plays, but they always made sure to have a great dinner somewhere enjoyable. She really loved these Old Bitties! In the Spring of 2006, Gerry was blessed to have a Great-Granddaughter born on her birthday. When she learned of the birth, her immediate response was, "she is born on my birthday." When they finally had a chance to meet, there was an instant special bond. In May 2013, Gerry reluctantly moved back to Corona, California, to Valencia Terrace. A Senior Living Apartment Complex closer to her son. This move required downsizing of many precious long time possessions which was extremely difficult after so many years. She always loved hosting visitors, and had an extra sparkle in her smile when her cousin Belinda would spend two or three days, or when Orv's family would come for the weekend! Her grandson Kelly and Rob would visit and play canasta for hours. She could never get enough of her great grandchildren as well, who would spend the night and enjoy the swimming pool during their summer vacations. She loved it! Gerry was always doing what she could to help those she cared about. There are several memories of her volunteering to help families when tragedy would strike. She was more than willing to cook and feed the family among caring for the children until they were okay. Her graciousness, her big smile and laughter will be remembered and missed. We would like to hear your special memory's of Gerry. Please send to; (email; [email protected]) or (Bob Stanard, 16585 Lake Knoll Parkway, Riverside, CA 92503)