Geraldine "Geri" (Chierico) Winterhalter, 74, of Dartmouth, passed away peacefully at her home on July 27, 2009, surrounded by her loving husband and family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Queens, NY, the daughter of the late Charles and Marie (Speranza) Chierico, Geri made her home in Dartmouth for 36 years after she moved to the area with her family to embark on a new life and start a family business with her husband.
She was a devoted and loving wife to Joseph Paul Winterhalter, her true love and soul mate for over 55 years. She leaves her children and their spouses, Donna Rossomando and her husband Kenneth, Joseph C. Winterhalter and his wife Catherine, Eileen Waxler and her husband David, Maureen Winterhalter and her husband David Nana, John Winterhalter and his wife Nanci, her daughter-in-law Desiree Winterhalter, wife of her late son Charles, and Geri Sullivan and her husband John.
Geri also leaves her eighteen precious grandchildren, Joey, John, Christina, Michael, Zachary, Jacob, James, Alex, Paul, Laura, Jessica, Mitchel, Luke, Evan, Jack, Kyle, Max and "baby" Kate, all who affectionately called her "Nana" and who will always remember her Christmas traditions.
In addition, Geri leaves her brother, Anthony "Chic" Chierico and his longtime companion Jackie Murphy of North Quincy; her special nephew, Edward Winterhalter and his wife Pam and their children; and her many nieces, nephews and close friends. Very dear to her was her constant companion "Coco".
Geri enjoyed golfing, cooking, gardening, holiday traditions, old movies and spending time in Florida. Most of all, she created a home of enormous love for her family and friends.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 AM in St. Julie Billiart Church, Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 1-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Geri's honor to Community Nurse & Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.