Geraldine "Gerry" McCaleb

Gerry was raised by her Auntie and Uncle Gene in Winfield, Kansas. She and her husband Art met when he hired her for a box office job at the local movie theater. They found they had chemistry together and after a brief courtship they married. Several years later, they moved to California, eventually settling in the foothills of San Carlos.

Gerry joined Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a service sorority. She continued to raise her hand to volunteer throughout her life. She drove patients to appointments for the American Cancer Society, served on the PTA, and was the bookkeeper for her church. Even in her 80s and 90s she put her excellent knitting skills to use, creating hundreds of caps for needy children, scarves for friends, and blankets for newborns. She showed strength in times of chaos handling whatever came her way with quiet grace. After Art had a stroke, she kept the household going and helped him with his recovery. She raised her two children to be both strong and empathetic, a combination that serves them well to this day.

A lifelong learner, she took a variety of college courses, and embraced changes in technology. Friends and family loved receiving her homemade greeting cards, “made with love by Gerry”. She worked as a switchboard operator in KS and CA and as a bookkeeper for several companies and accountant for two large banks. Always prepared, she would pull out random items from her purse, saying “It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!” She played over 50 years in league bowling with a 264 high score, but it was the friendships that she valued the most. Gerry cherished the many cruises and road trips she and Art took with their friends.

Eventually Gerry and Art moved to an independent living facility, where they lived happily and safely for 11 years with no worries of cooking, yard work, or maintenance. She lost Art in 2024 at age 95. They spent 72 wonderful years together on earth, and will celebrate their 75th anniversary together in heaven with the many friends and family they have missed. What a party that will be!

Her positive can-do attitude pulled her through a cancer diagnosis late in life. She fought and achieved remission for a short time before cancer returned. Her 14 months in hospice at home were filled with joy, laughs, Giants games, and love thanks to her daughter Carolyn's cheery and thoughtful care and her son David's administrative skills and to-do lists. “She raised them right” was a frequent refrain from caregivers and friends. Her children are forever in her debt. She is also survived by her dear sisters Kay and Marilyn; her sister-in-law Charlene; and the many nieces, nephews, and best friend’s children who were so kind to her over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Gerry with a donation to the American Cancer Society or other charitable health organization.