Geraldine Theresa Michalek, aged 87, passed away peacefully at home in Winter Garden, Fl, May 12. Born Oct. 16 in Newark, NJ, she resided in Nutley, NJ, before moving to Winter Garden in 2017.

Prior to retiring to Central Florida, Gerrie worked as a data processor for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark and later was the parish office receptionist at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield where she also served as a eucharistic minister and religious education teacher, preparing children for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for more than 20 years. She served her church in varying volunteer capacities including teaching for Vacation Bible School, sewing Baptismal garments and helping to prepare facilities for Sunday services.

Gerrie's volunteer mission continued when she moved to Florida where she gave much of her time to Independence Elementary School, assisting students in the media center and cafeteria. Her efforts earned her multiple Senior Volunteer of the Year awards which she received at ceremonies at SeaWorld Theme Park.

Gerrie was an avid sports fan, tuning in for every New York Yankees baseball game, rooting for the New York Giants, attending the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament and enjoying home-based festivities for the Kentucky Derby. She loved watching gymnastics and figure skating competitions and saw some of her favorite Olympic skaters when Stars on Ice performed in Orlando. Always fussy about her fashion, she loved to shop for clothes and shoes. She also enjoyed long walks, going for brunch after Sunday mass, making holiday crafts and treats, board game nights with friends and neighbors, and most of all, family celebrations.

On visits back home to New Jersey, she loved gathering with family, catching up with friends at St. Thomas Church, walks in Brookdale Park and getting chocolate and ice cream at Holsten's in Bloomfield.

Gerrie was predeceased by her husband Stephen E. Michalek; parents, Louis and Mary Rossi Nardone; brothers, John, Albert, Nicholas, Nunzio, Dominick, Gerard, Victor and Henry; and sister Anna Cocco.

She is survived by her son Stephen Michalek and wife Laura; her daughter Nancy Woodard and husband Terence; four grandsons: Stephen and wife Alicia, James and wife Karolyne, Daniel and wife Nicole, and Jackson and wife Jaclyn; and six great grandchildren: Stephen, Lia, Daniel, Cecelia, Blake and James. She is also survived by sisters Marie DeSordi and Antoinette Lento, brother Louis Nardone, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando Wednesday May 22 at 11 a.m. A memorial service also will be planned for later this year in New Jersey. The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital.