Geraldine was born in Jersey City in 1934 and lived in Bayonne for 8 years and then Cranford for 15 years, after which she resided in Union, NJ. She graduated from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth and The Berkeley School in East Orange.
“Gerry,” as she liked to be called, was a devoted wife of the late Bert J. Jones, daughter of the late Joseph Whelan and Lillian Whelan, loving mother of Gregory (The late Janice), James (Joanne), Timothy (Maria Duarte), and the late Kevin Jones, sister of the late Joan Ventura and the late Theresa Jonkoski, and brother of the late Army Captain Joseph Whelan (KIA).
Survived by five grandchildren, Jennifer, Christopher, Christina, Kyle, and Kevin, and great-grandchildren Emilia, Stella, Anthony, Jackson, with more on the way.
Gerry was a Personnel Relations Mgr. at NJ Bell Telco. and Treasurer of Grass Roots Turf Products, where she helped her husband launch a successful business that is still operating today.
Geraldine showed quiet strength, having endured the loss of her first child, youngest brother, husband, and both her sisters. She often gathered with friends at the Union Recreation Center, the Huck Finn diner, or the church bowling league.
Gerry regularly attended Mass and was active with St. Michael’s Church in Union. Along with her sister Joan, she collected donated clothing for St. Joseph’s Social Center in Elizabeth.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083.
The Funeral service will be conducted on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, 1212 Kelly St., Union, NJ 07083.
Interment to follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ 07936.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Joseph’s Social Service Center, 118 Division St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201, St. Joseph's Social Services, or St. Jude Children's Hospital, Nashville, TN. St. Jude Children's Hospital
