LEWISTON — Geraldine (Gerry) M. Ricker, 87, died unexpectedly Jan. 30 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Gerry was born Oct. 30, 1930, in Lewiston, the youngest daughter of Bernard and Margaret Murphy Ricker.

Gerry graduated from Lewiston High School in 1948 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Joseph’s College in 1953 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono in 1964. She taught third- and fourth-grade students for over 38 years. Although most of her career was spent teaching in the Lewiston school system, she also taught in Auburn, Rumford, and Silver Springs, Md. During her teaching career, she was a member of the National Education Association and was elected to represent Maine teachers at the National Convention. After retirement she joined the Maine Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Delta Kappa Gamma sororities for many years. Gerry was actively involved in her church, being a lifelong member of the former St. Patrick’s Parish. She was a member of the St. Patrick’s choir and traveled extensively with the choir in the 1960s. She served as Eucharistic minister for many years and was a member of the Rosary Sodality, serving as its prefect. She worked on the church fair for many years.

She also taught religious education in the parish and volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. She was an active member of her parish RENEW group, meeting faithfully for over 20 years.

Gerry loved to travel and took many trips with friends and family throughout the United States and Europe, especially her beloved Ireland. She enjoyed spending her summers at the family cottage in Old Orchard Beach, where she exemplified the old Celtic saying, “céad míle fáilte,” by generously welcoming family and friends. Gerry was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. She had an outgoing personality and made friends easily. She loved her family and enjoyed attending her great-niece and nephews’ school and sporting events.

Gerry is survived by her brother, Bernard (Bud) Ricker, her five nieces, Barbara Ricker, Marti Booth and her husband Larry Brown, Peggy Noddin, Debora Cleveland and her husband John Cleveland, and Mary Beth Booth. She is also survived by her great-nephews, Nathan Cleveland and his wife Kendra Engel, Benjamin Cleveland, Garrett Noddin, and her great-niece, Katie Noddin and her husband Michael Soulios. Gerry was very much looking forward to becoming a great-great-aunt for the first time with the birth of Katie and Mike’s baby this summer. She was predeceased by her loving sister, Mary Frances Booth, brother-in-law, Edward Booth, sister-in-law, Trudy Ricker, and niece-in-law, Pat Raimondo.

Gerry was well-loved and will be dearly missed by friends and family.

Condolences may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.

Geraldine Margaret Ricker

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