Geraldine "Gerry" M. Erickson

Gerry Erickson was born in Portland, Oregon on October 23, 1943 to Gerald  "Jerry" and Lela Jones. She had a full and meaningful life.

Her given name, Geraldine Marie, was shortened to Gerry with the help of her third grade teacher. Living in the home that her father built in N.E. Portland, Gerry attended Rose City Park Elementary School, Grant High School and Portland State College, where she met her future husband Don. Together, for fifty six years, they raised their three children, Angie, Jill and Andy.

Gerry enjoyed her work with children as a teacher's aid in several of the Portland grade schools. Some of her students asked her to attend their High School graduation. Gerry made a real difference in their lives.

She loved to hit the road with her husband. While traveling across the country, they bonded and became good friends with her late father's WW II shipmates and their wives at six of their reunions.

Being a very gifted person, Gerry created beautiful tole paintings, composed witty letters and conjured up friendly pranks that are legendary. Gerry's wit, warmth and humor have been the source of many great moments in the lives of three generations of family and friends, and sometimes, total strangers. She gave a new meaning to the term friendship. They do indeed last a lifetime.

Along with her husband and three children, Gerry will be remembered by her six Grandchildren; Katie, Sam, Ryan, Olivia, Matthew and Killian, along with her Great Granddaughter Charlie.

The pranks and other great stories will be shared during the Celebration of Life for Gerry at McMenamins Kennedy School in N.E. Portland on October 20th, between 12:00 noon and 3:30.