Geraldine H. O'Brien

Gerri was an honor student headed for college when her father passed away when Gerri was 15 years old. She gave up on her dreams of higher education in order to get a job and help support the family. She trained as, and gained employment as a secretary, a profession that eventually brought her to Diplomatic Service for the United States State Department. There she met OB, and together they embarked on careers that spanned the globe. Through her skill and hard work, Gerri ascended through the ranks, ultimately was promoted to commissioned rank of Minister Counselor in the Foreign Service of the United States, a position comparable to a Two-Star General. She was a pioneer in demonstrating strength, intelligence and competence to her coworkers at a time when such talents were not always sought out in women.

Gerri dedicated her life to the Foreign Service, serving at embassies around the world. Her posting included challenging assignments. In Beirut, with the embassy under siege and gunfire being exchanged in the surrounding streets, she endured cold showers from a pipe trickling water into the basement, the only source of water for bathing. In Vientiane, Laos, she drove to work with her suitcase packed in the trunk in case the Embassy staff would be forced to flee to Thailand. She and OB assisted the investigation of the bombing of Pan Am 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, helping to establish a command center for the investigation. She also served in Cairo, Egypt, Ankara, Turkey, and Kuala Lampur, Malasia, as well as other posts. In 2011 she was awarded the Secretary’s Career Achievement Award by the State Department for her 43 years of serving her country around the globe.

After retirement Gerri and OB settled on Cape Cod, where Gerri became active in the Village Garden Club of Dennis, serving as the Vice President, mentoring the new members, and filling the town flower beds with colorful beauty. She hosted wonderful parties where she served delicious food to dozens of close and intimate friends and family members. Her love of plants and flowers, and her love of life, brought joy and happiness to all who knew her. She is survived by her sister Valerie Hennike, and her brothers Ronald and Kelvin Keraga.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy (www.foundationforpn.org)

Visiting hours will be held by Doane, Beal and Ames, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of the Cape, 468 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster, MA on Wednesday December 19 at 11 p.m. burial to follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA at 1:15pm.

For online condolences, please visit www.doanebealames.com.