Geraldine (Gerry) Elizabeth Smith Eadie passed away on Feb. 19. She was born on July 2, 1930, in Omaha, Neb. to Leslie S. Smith and Goldie Reis Smith.
Eadie graduated from Benson High School and attended Gulf Park Junior College in Gulf Park, Miss. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/English literature with a minor in French and philosophy from Creighton University in Omaha in 1952.
The same year she graduated from college she married John “Jack” F. Keiner. They had three children: Christian, Karen and Claudia Keiner. She married her second husband, Robert Macgregor Eadie, on Oct. 13, 1979. They lived in Malibu for more than 20 years and spent 31 years together before he passed away in 2011.
“Gerry was a woman with a lot of life experience,” a loved one said.
After WWII, she was selected along with three other Girl Scouts of America to travel around Europe and work on bettering international relations. She returned to Europe a second time and spent three months working with blind children at a camp in Holland.
“Gerry loved the beach, spending time by her pool, reading and knitting. She also loved Christmas and collected gifts throughout the year for her family and friends,” a family member said. “Gerry was extremely patriotic and took pride in having a flag outside of her home. For the last 40 years, Gerry shared her experience, strength and hope with many ladies.”
She was preceded in her death by her parents, her husband Mac, and her grandson Taylor Blanco. She is survived by her children Christian Keiner (Rosemary), Karen Blanco (Byron) and Claudia Alves (Ed), as well as six grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon, Calif. on March 2 at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile or Community Hospice of Modesto.