Obituary of Geraldine Meyer Gallagher

Our bright and shining star was extinguished with the passing of our beloved Geraldine, who passed away on Wednesday evening at her home surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of the late Melvin and Kathryn “Kitty” Snee Meyer. Geraldine was a 1975 graduate of Bishop Hoban High School, and she received her degree as an LPN from the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School. Geraldine received her associate’s degree in applied science degree in Nursing from Luzerne County Community College. She was employed as a Registered Nurse, having worked for many years at Associated Family Care Services in Forty Fort. Geraldine was a member of St. Nicholas – St. Mary’s Parish in Wilkes-Barre. In her younger years, among other things, she volunteered her time teaching CCD and organizing children’s masses, working with the Alzheimer’s Association, and she was known as “the potato pancake lady” at St. John’s Evangelist Church, Wilkes, PA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, James E. Gallagher in 2017 and by her sisters, Lorraine Flynn and Denise Atcavage. Geraldine is survived by her husband of 22 years, James J. Gallagher and by her daughters, Briana Meyer, Glenside; Kelly Bannasch and her husband, Patrick, Plains Twp.; Erin Gallagher, Shorewood, IL; and Julia Gallagher at home; grandchildren, Jeremy, Jessica and Logan. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Melvin Meyer and his wife, Caridad, Drums; James Meyer and his wife, Jane, Forty Fort; Marianne Hornik and her husband, James, Clayton, NC; Thomas Meyer and his wife, Joanne, Marlton, NJ; and Teresita Shovlin and her husband, George, Duryea; along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends. A Celebration of Geraldine’s life will begin with a visitation for family and friends on Sunday from 4-7 pm and on Monday from 10 - 11 am in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday. Her Pastor, Rev. Joseph D. Verespy, will be the celebrant. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township. Many thanks to Teri, Anna, Briana, Jane and Kelly for their loving care in her final months. A special thank you to the wonderful nurses and aides from Compassionate Care Hospice and Dr. Angela Jain from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be sent by visiting Geraldine’s obituary at www.ngjfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home, 89 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.