Geraldine, formerly of Penn Valley, passed away on December 24, 2022, at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, from complications from a stroke. Gerri, as she was known to friends and family, was 79 years old. She was born in Kearny, NJ to the late Joseph Shnakis and his wife Helen (née O'Boyle).  She is survived by her children Nate (Elin), Andrew (Barbara), and her grandchildren Gabriel, Penleigh, Joseph, and Caitlin.

Gerri grew up outside of Shenandoah, PA, in a working-class family.  Despite life-long health challenges, she accomplished much in her life.  After graduating high school, she left northeastern Pennsylvania to obtain her diploma in Nursing from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and went on to earn her B.S. in Nursing from Penn in 1968. While at nursing school, she established many meaningful friendships which lasted a lifetime.

Before starting her family, she worked as a public health nurse in Philadelphia for several years. She also volunteered for a number of organizations including the League of Women Voters. In 1985, Gerri went back to the University of Pennsylvania to earn her M.S. in Nursing while raising three children – two sons and a daughter.  After obtaining her Master's degree, she worked as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Faulkeways at Gwynedd and loved caring for her patients. Gerri then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Nursing in 1994, also from Penn, and joined the Nursing faculty at the University of Arizona in Tucson.  As a member of the clinical faculty, she taught in the Nurse Practitioner program for several years and enjoyed her time in the Sonoran Desert region.

Gerri loved reading, the arts, and anthropology. She enjoyed attending Philadelphia Orchestra concerts and other cultural events. She was pivotal in encouraging her husband's philanthropy to include the University of the Arts and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. She served as a board member both at the School of Nursing as well as at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. As a resident at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, she also served on several committees including the health committee.

As a mother and devoted spouse, Gerri loved her husband, Dolf, her three children, and her many close friends. She was a strong-willed woman, who was quick-witted and rarely ever held back from speaking her mind. Whether it was protesting the Vietnam War, fighting for women's rights, or espousing her political positions, she let her opinions be known. A terrific cook, the family benefited from her nightly meals, and her friends enjoyed many dinners marked by excellent food and plenty of wine.

Gerri was heartbroken when her daughter Alena lost her fight with cancer in 2016 at the age of 43. After her husband Dolf unexpectedly died of a heart attack in October 2022, she never fully recovered from the pain of that loss after their 55 years of marriage.

Being true to Gerri's wishes, the family plans on holding a private memorial ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the University of the Arts, Attn: Andrew Pack, 320 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or online at www.uarts.edu/donate