Obituary of Geraldine Virginia Jones

Geraldine Virginia Jones, 95 years old, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Juniper Village, Wellspring Memory Care. Gerry was born on June 22, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan and was the daughter of Bertrand Esmond Lee and Pauline Marjorie Smith Lee. She married Ralph Jones, who preceded her in death in 1983. She was also the step mother to Ralph's three children, Kathryn, Stephen and Ellen Jones. Gerry was preceded in death by her four siblings, David Lee, Marion Koss, Shirley Gofton and John Gordon Lee.

Gerry is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Caplan and her husband, William, of State College, PA and Deborah Day Krull, and her husband, Kenneth, of Westmont, IL. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by eight grandchildren: Benjamin Caplan, Jennifer Córdova, Christopher Caplan and Katherine Foresman, Dylan Krull, Kevin Krull, Elliot Krull and Andrew Krull; and 9 great grandchildren, ranging in age from 5 months to 10 years of age. For the last 50 years Gerry also had various cats who were her constant companions.

Gerry graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1949, earning a Bachelor degree in Music and Applied Violin. She also received a Master's degree from Andover Newton Theological Seminary in 1951, in Christian Education. In 1960 she obtained her teaching certificate from The University of Michigan. She worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Flint, Michigan Public Schools, and retired in 1990.

Gerry's love of classical music was actively pursued all of her life. She was a committed member of various orchestras and many prestigious chorales. These chorales gave her opportunities to travel the world and sing.

Traveling the world with her family, grandchildren and friends were her great delight. Gerry counted her friends as true blessings and always remembered her trips around the world with these friends as a cherished joy.

Gerry's large family was the source of her deepest love. Her daughters, their spouses, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren were her greatest pride and received her doting love and unwavering affection.

Gerry lived her life with purpose and in perpetual motion by doing, teaching, learning, voting, singing, traveling and loving. She actively sought fun, laughed easily and found joy.

Gerry's memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, July 17, at the University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 South Burrowes Street, State College, PA, with the Reverend Thomas Beers officiating.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Holly, Michigan on September 22, 2023 at 1pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Centre County PAWS,1401 Trout Rd., State College, PA 16801 or to Andover Newton at Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, or online to Development.gifts@yale.edu, under the Tribute option.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.