Obituary of Geraldine Gerhart Williams

WILLIAMS, Geraldine Leonard Gerhart "Gerry" Age 92, died March 11, 2018, peacefully in her home in Tucson, AZ. She is survived by her son, Kenneth A. Gerhart and daughter-in-law, Susan Gerhart of Tucson; and daughters, Christine M. Gerhart McDonough of Tucson, AZ; and Maureen J. St. Germain and son-in-law, Vytenis Babrauskas (Vyto), of San Diego, CA. Gerry, born in Cleveland, Ohio married her high school sweetheart, Alfred W. Gerhart "Al" when he returned from WWII in 1945. They settled in North Ridgeville raising their six children and operating their 125-acre vegetable farm. Gerry was a certified graphologist, (handwriting analysis) and helped corporations with their executive hiring. Although it was her hobby it opened doors for their burgeoning side business selling European cucumber seed. (They introduced the European cucumber to North America) and meeting growers worldwide. After Al and Gerry impressed a Hawaiian businessman and grower they were invited to work in Hawaii in 1982. They returned to Ohio after their contract ended but loved Hawaii so much they spent their winters in Kona. After Al passed, Gerry chose Hawaii as her permanent home where she eventually met and married Charles Edward Williams "Ed". They moved to Tucson in 2007 to be closer to her children, Kenneth A. Gerhart and Christine Gerhart McDonough. Gerry had 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Ever the diplomat, she was consulted by everyone in her family for her wisdom and practicality. She is preceded in death by her mother, Angela Collins Leonard; her first husband, Alfred Gerhart of North Ridgeville. (47 years) and her second husband, Edward Williams (22 years) son, Daniel and daughter, Kathleen deFouchier and son-in-law, Philippe de Fouchier. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018. There will be a reception afterward at the church. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.