Geraldine Lata

Gerry was born on May 24, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA to Eugene and Jennie Garcia. She graduated from St. Peter’s School of Business in 1952. Gerry married Edward J. Lata in 1958 who she met at the The Spanish Club at Fourth and Pine, Philadelphia and together raised three daughters: Jennifer Lata, JoAnn Lata (Tim Turner) and Josette Lata (Edward Okinsky). She is survived by her daughters and grandchildren Sienna Lee and Cole Turner.

Geraldine worked as an Executive Assistant at Anchor Hocking Glass and Quaker City Hyde in Philadelphia and later wrote a cooking column for the Ocean County Sun; a job she enjoyed greatly as it encompassed her love of cooking, entertainment, and community. She was past President of the Toms River Community Medical Center non-profit Auxiliary, The White Pine Twig (TWIG) and an active member of the Pine Beach Yacht Club where she made lifelong friends.

Geraldine was fond of all animals, decorating, Victoriana, travel, late night comedy talk shows, and was an avid cook who specialized in delicious personalized and ornate cakes which she made with great love for all she cared for. She loved her family dearly, and as the youngest of her generation, connected with nieces and nephews as well as she did with siblings, elder aunts, uncles and parents. Gerry lost her mother at a young age and was particularly loving to those who experienced the loss of a mother in their youth. She was known for her quick wit, easy smile and devotion to friends and family. With determination and tenacity, she achieved her goal of living out her life in her beloved Pine Beach and enjoyed her home on the Toms River until her last days.

A visitation is scheduled on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:00am at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River, NJ 08735. Burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 62 Cedar Grove Road, Toms River, NJ 08753. Donations are graciously accepted to Popcorn Park Zoo (AHS): https://ahs.givecloud.co/fundraisers/josette-lata-fundraiser