In loving memory of 

Geraldine Veronica Wolff (Nee Moran) 

(January 20, 1936 – January 28, 2023)

Gerry was called to Heaven on January 28, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband Charlie and granddaughter Jocelyn. She will be missed and forever remembered by her children, John (Gloria), Patrick (Margaret), Catherine (Alan), Mark (Zeinab), Marilyn (Rod), and her beloved grandchildren Greggory, Matthew, Joshua, Jordan, Braden, Alexis, and Annalise. 

She leaves behind a legacy of good humor, love of family, keen enthusiasm for learning new things, and courage to face life’s challenges with perseverance and grace. She loved physical activity and was known as the gym “Granny” that kept her strong and fiercely independent. She was a keen enthusiast for reading and adventure which included travel to many different places around the world with her family, especially with Marilyn & Rod and Gloria & Donald. Gerry was an inspiration to whomever she encountered. 

Gerry loved and dedicated her life to nursing. In her nursing graduate yearbook (1958), she stated, “A sincere and understanding nurse possesses unlimited exuberance and wit famous for the ability to bring out humor in everyday happenings.” She exemplified this way of nursing until the age of 74 when she officially retired from the Edson & District Health Care Centre after 30 years of service. 

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many healthcare team members who provided support during her illness including Dr. Robinson, Home Care, Acute Care, and the Palliative Care team. Gerry was supported by her loving neighbours (Lorrie & Cynthia), friends (Barb & Francis), and long-standing personal caregivers (Holly & Maggie) who allowed Gerry to live an independent and fulfilled life until the very end. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Bethel Pentecostal Church, located at 6350 13 Avenue, Edson, AB at 1:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Operation Smile” online in Gerry’s name.

Geraldine Wolff was born in Regina Sask. On January 20^th, 1936 to Loila and Michael Moran.  She was the sixth and final child of the family and a miracle baby born with a cleft palate. The Doctor handed this beautiful girl to Loila and Michael stating there was nothing medically they could do and therefore take the child home to die. Loila and Michael did the impossible staying up with Gerry day and night and to the astonishment of all the medical professionals Gerry grew to be a healthy, strong, and confident woman. From the day Gerry came into the arms of her parents, she could do no wrong and if any classmate dared to challenge that truth, they would suffer the consequences.

Gerry never allowed any obstacles to block her goals in life. This included fighting for a secondary education with a disability and being the only one in the family who risked it all for this goal. She went into the Grey Nuns Hospital admittance process for one of the desired spots of resident training. The head of the nursing department asked her, “How do you think you can nurse with a speech deficit?” Gerry stated, “I thought nursing came from the heart, not the mouth.” The next day she was admitted into the program. The head nurse fought for Gerry to be on a clinical trial for surgery of those with clef-palate. The surgery was successful and as Gerry went through the healing of the surgery, learning how to talk, and maintaining her studies she graduated at age 22 in 1958.

In 1958 Charley and Geraldine were married and started a family of 5 children on a farm in Liberty Sask. The journey continued with many moves, challenges, and raising a family but somehow in midst of many unexpected mountains they had to climb, Geraldine and Charley always found a way to make life work. Geraldine had another miracle, giving birth to twins which were deemed a medical impossibility.

Although busy raising a family, Geraldine maintained a nursing career for over 40 years. To the profession, she brought strength, support, and passion into the career.  Patients and staff always knew when Geraldine worked because the shift was filled with humour, laughter, fun, and copious levels of compassion.

She was a spitfire in life and took on every hobby with full-out passion. She loved investing in hours a day of physical activities that challenged her personal best. From pumping frequent repetitions using 250lbs in her 70s too cardio exercises that would push younger and healthier people. She read mystery novels with veracious zeal, and cleaned and gardened with perfection.  Travelled around the world with family enjoying each adventure as the only one that was important in life. Finally, loved her children, grandchildren, and friends with abandoned loyalty.

The last part of Geraldine’s journey was filled with complicated and unpredictable medical complications but she never complained or stopped fighting to have the best quality of life till the very end. When God created you Gerry, Mom, and Friend he broke the mold and you will be forever missed and loved forever—John, Patrick, Catherine Mark & Marilyn