Geraldine "Gerrie" Bailey November 16, 1929 – November 17, 2025

Geraldine "Gerrie" Bailey, 96, passed away peacefully after a long life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to those she held dear.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 16, 1929, to George and Margaret (Weeks) Hughes, Gerrie spent her childhood summers in Grand Marais, Michigan, at her family's cabin, "Geraldine Cottage," on Sable Lake. From the sun porch, she loved watching the "diamonds on the water" shimmer across the lake. That same porch became the heart of her family life; she spent countless hours there with her grandchildren, sharing stories and laughter. When the property later became part of the National Park, Gerrie brought her beloved sun porch into town and connected it to her new home. Though it no longer overlooked the lake, the porch remained her favorite place; a space filled with sunlight, memories, and the joy of family. She delighted in teaching generations to search for agates along the shores of Lake Superior, often reminding them with a smile to leave some behind, "leaver-right," she'd say, for future hunters to find. And whenever someone proudly handed her an ordinary rock, she'd grin and say, "It's just a Grand Marais love stone."

On November 15, 1947, Gerrie married Harold "Andy" Bailey, beginning a lifetime of shared laughter, hard work, and devotion to their growing family. Together they enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage. A devoted homemaker and mother, Gerrie later worked as manager of the Little Red Shoe House in Ithaca. She was known for her Thanksgiving pies, her famous peanut butter sheet cake, and for raising a single eyebrow that could say more than words ever could. She never forgot a birthday, she took such joy in sending cards to her family, a small but deeply meaningful way she showed how much she cared for each of us. Gerrie made each of her grandchildren an afghan for their graduation; a handmade reminder of her warmth and care. In 1994, she and Harold became snowbirds, spending winters in Florida and cherishing time together in the sunshine.

Gerrie was preceded in death by her husband, Harold "Andy" Bailey; her parents, George and Margaret (Weeks) Hughes; her stepmother, Hannah (Weeks) Hughes; her brother, Chester Hughes; and her great-granddaughter, Kaleigh Bupp.

She is survived by five children: George (the late Suzanne) Bailey; Margaret (the late Gregory) Smith; Bruce (Carlene) Bailey; Jim (Cathy Shelton) Bailey; and Evelyn Bailey (Mark Ray); sixteen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one niece.

Gerrie's legacy will live on in the hearts of her family and in every afghan, pie, and agate she left behind.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Gerrie by making donations to the Burt Township Ambulance Corps in Grand Marais, Michigan.

A family burial service will be held in the summer of 2026.