Geraldine "Geri" Ann ( Kostenko) Evarts, 86, of Groton died Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Beachwood Manor in New London, Connecticut. She is predeceased by her husband,Robert L Evarts, who died on June 9, 2009 to whom she was married to 55 1/2 years. Geri was born in Montville, CT on January 20, 1935. The daughter of Frank and Fanny (Mackniki) Kostenko, Geri was a member New London High School, Class of 1952 She was a cheerleader and voted " Class Clown", a tribute to her wonderful sense of humor that followed her throughout her life.. She went on to attend secretarial school and worked as a Bookkeeper at Genung's in downtown New London.
Geri and Bob raised two daughters who volunteered her for Room Mother for seven consecutive years during their tenure at Mystic Academy. She served as a PTA officer, making wonderful baked goods and arts and crafts for school fund raisers. She also donated her time as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader . If it mattered to her beloved girls, it mattered to Geri.
Geri attended the New London Academy of Hairdressing. She worked at Ruby and Sheila’s Hair Salon in Groton where she later became part owner. After the shop was sold, she worked at Gina‘s in Groton, until her retirement. She bowled on the Thursday night league for 40 years at Holiday Bowl. She played with a Mystic bunco group for 50 years plus years. On Fridays ,
she enjoyed her wonderful Norwich card group . Geri loved to volunteer and instilled her values of compassion and caring to her daughters, then grand children. She was active in the VFW Mystic Women’s Auxiliary. She served as President of the Auxiliary, chaired the Annual Basket raffle and supported our service men and women on Veteran's Day selling memorial luminaries. Every Memorial Day, she would proudly dress in red, white, and blue, bring photos of her husband, Bob serving in the Army, Grandson ,Gregory attending West Point Military Academy and sell Poppies for Veterans. Running a monthly Bingo with Terry and Irene for the residents of Rita’s Care Facility in Mystic was one her favorite ways to spend a Monday night.. She joined Sue in writing postcards to remind women to vote, was a supporter of the LBGTQ community and supported her Grand daughter, Kelsey's artistic endeavors. . Geri and Bob would drive to Saratoga Springs, NY to see Lindsey perform in a play or Gregory execute maneuvers in Drill Team . Geri was thrilled that she and Bob became Great Grand Parents to the "Twinkies" , Adrienne and Ian in 2009, and later Wyatt in February, 2018. Family, treating people with kindness and helping others were the things she lived by and for.
Geri is survived by her two daughters, Sue Evarts of Gales Ferry, CT and Debbie Hurlock of Ballston Spa ,New York. She’s also survived by her grandchildren Kelsey Lloyd of New Haven and Kelsey‘s father, Don Lloyd of Waterford. Lindsey Hurlock Brown and her husband Anthony of Saratoga Springs her great grandchildren, Ian and Adrian Hurlock and Wyatt Brown. Also Gregory Hurlock of Atlanta, Georgia. Geri is survived by her sister Barbara Cyr of East Hartford, and her brother Fred Kostenko and his longtime companion Judy Lamoreaux of Manchester and a cousin, Patricia A Kelly of Waterford, Also sister in law Shirley Elms and her husband (care taker of the Evarts women) ,Bob Elms of Niantic ,as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Her best friend for 60 years, Mary Sheehan, of Mystic, also survives her.
Sue and Debbie would like to send heartfelt thanks to Dr. Rachelle Darout of Waterford, Mary at Dr. Vanessa Johnson's office, and the amazing 1st Floor Rehab Nursing and CNA Team at Beechwood Manor in New London. There are truly angels among us here on earth! We will be forever grateful for the love and care our wonderful Mom received during her stay.
Burial at Elm Grove Cemetery Mystic will be private for the family, In lieu of flowers please donate in Geri’s honor to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude’s place, Memphis, TN 38105 or http://www.stjude.org
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