1923 – 2016

LEWISTON — Violet “Vi” A. Geerling Jalbert, 92, formerly of Auburn, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Aug. 9, surrounded by family at Russell Park Rehabilitation & Living Center.

The daughter of the late Herman and Viola Geerling, Vi was born in St. Louis, Mo., on Oct. 27, 1923. Her family later moved to Palmetto, Fla., where she attended public schools and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1941.

On May 30, 1944, Vi married the love of her life, Emilio “Jean” Jalbert. At the time, Jean was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Palmetto. Vi has always loved bragging about her greatest treasure, her “large family.” She loved spending time with each and every family member and they enjoyed spending time with her.

Vi retired as manager of the Lewiston branch of Maine Department of Motor Vehicles. She was previously employed at Raytheon and Knapp Shoe. She vowed to someday attend college and after retiring, she attended the University of Southern Maine’s L-A College and graduated with an associate degree in business.

A loving and caring person to everyone she met, Vi was also an inspiration and role model of kindness. She was generous with her beautiful smile and shared it with everyone.

Some of her favorite activities were spending time at the family camp in Greenwood and meeting with her friends at Tim Hortons for coffee and conversation. She was an avid reader and an expert at crossword puzzles. Vi was known for her generosity to many charitable foundations.

She is survived by her children, Jean Jalbert and wife, Donna, of Oxford County, Mary “Jane” Laplante and husband, Bert, of Lewiston, John Jalbert and wife, Connie, of Auburn, Rebecca “Becky” Stevens and husband, Bill, of Spring Hill, Fla., Jack Jalbert, Julia Jalbert, and Jennifer Bilodeau and husband, Michael, of Mechanic Falls. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Violet was predeceased by her husband of 62 years; her parents; her sister, Catherine Woodward; her brother, Fred Geerling; and her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Jane Laplante.

The family is especially grateful to the staff at Russell Park Rehabilitation & Living Center, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and Montello Heights.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.