WATERBURY — Geraldine “Gerri” McDonald, 81, widow of Robert J. McDonald, her husband of 45 years, died peacefully on May 1, 2023, at The Village at East Farms Assisted Living Facility, surrounded by loving family.
Geraldine was born Dec. 20, 1941 in Waterbury, a daughter of the late George L. and Mary (Duffy) Behan. Gerri graduated from Salem Elementary School, Naugatuck High School, class of 1960, and M. Kavula Institute of Hair Design.
She worked as a certified nursing assistant for 21 years at the Oak Hill School for the Blind and at the Waterbury Day Program Services, retiring in 2009.
Gerri was a member of the Prospect Senior Center and the Naugatuck YMCA. She enjoyed traveling, bus trips, visiting California, Ireland, Florida and Niagara Falls. She enjoyed bingo at the Naugatuck Elks Club and socializing with family and friends.
She liked reading, camping. and she loved spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to breakfast with her family at Burnsie’s in Naugatuck, and she loved her family and would do anything for all of them.
Gerri is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Sally McDonald of Wolcott; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Mark Quesnel of Middletown; grandchildren, Brianna McDonald of Wolcott, Amanda McDonald of Thomaston, Andrew Quesnel and his wife Jocelyn, of Meriden, Robert Quesnel of Middletown; great-grandchildren, Annarie McDonald, Joseph McDonald, Maelyn McDonald, all of Wolcott, and Geia Quesnel of Meriden; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen B. and Raymond E. Matey of Wolcott; brother and sister-in-law, James Behan and Ellyn Wain Behan of South Lyme; nieces and nephews, Meg Matey Evans and her husband Christopher Evans, and their daughter Emily Evans, Laura Behan and her significant other Duane Legister. and Martin Behan.
The family would like to give special thanks to Gerri’s dedicated care giver, Tricia Thomas, the compassionate nurses and staff at The Village at East Farms and to Jean King, LPN.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Everyone attending is kindly asked to please meet directly at church.
Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. There are no calling hours and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck.
To leave an online condolence, please visit buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
