Geraldine Mendenhall Guccione of Franklin, MA, formerly of Norfolk and Needham, died peacefully June 16, surrounded by family, just short of her ninety-first birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years Quentin A. Guccione, DDS; her parents, Gerald (Pete) Mendenhall and Beulah Morgan (Mendenhall) Witter, her sister Jacqueline (Mendenhall) Baker, all of Missouri; and her son Joseph Q. Guccione of Duxbury.
Geri leaves her children Rosemarie Guccione Winters (Thomas J.) of Central, SC, Gary A. Guccione (Laura Powers) of Millis, Karen Guccione Czubik (Michael) of Franklin, daughter-in-law Leslie Davis Guccione of Wilmington, DE, and former daughter-in-law Louise M. Audet of Quebec, Canada. She was also a devoted Nana/Grandmere to eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Geri met New Yorker Quin, newly minted DDS and naval officer, during her World War II work in Kansas City before he was subsequently assigned to the medical corps at the Great Lakes Naval Station. She joked that she came east as a war bride. He set up his practice in MA, close to his older brothers, both family practitioners, and younger sister. As a homemaker and avid volunteer.
Geri spent a lifetime of active participation in the American Dental Alliance and its local affiliate, The American Red Cross, and The Needham Garden Club. During her fifty+ years as a parishioner of Christ Church, Needham, she served on the altar guild. She also enjoyed camping with The Colonial Wanderers.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 21, 4-7 PM, at the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street, Franklin, MA. On Friday, June 22, 10 AM, a service will celebrate her life at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin. Interment to follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joseph Guccione to the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton Street, Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062.
www.oterifuneralhome.com
