Geralyn "Geri" Mary Bechter

Geralyn "Geri" Mary Bechter

Geralyn Mary Bechter was born on February 11, 1964 and said “she lived a happy life”.
She entered into heaven on May 15, 2017

Geri graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School and The University of Akron. She earned
degrees in Early Childhood Development and English, graduating Summa Cum Laude. After
graduation, she was selected for a Summer Seminar of Poetry at Bucknell University because
of her amazing creative writing talent.

Geri was beloved by the many children she babysat and especially by her preschool students. She was a teacher’s aid at Marilyn’s Preschool and head preschool teacher at Room to Grow. She had a special understanding and connection with children and raised a generation of kids with her selfless love, creativity, and keen intelligence.

After giving 110% of herself to preschoolers, Geri moved on to work at the Revco Headquarters, and for the past 18 years she worked in medical records at Summa City Hospital.

Geri was known by everyone as their “best friend” but most especially by her nieces and
nephews. She helped raise each and every one of them and leaves a legacy of “kids” who are better human beings because of her.  She never asked for help and always asked what she could do for you instead. She remembered every birthday, anniversary and holiday with gifts and cards. She was always happy to hear from you when you called her at any hour and always opened her door with a smile.

She fought bravely, valiantly, and endlessly against cancer for the past 5 years and never once complained about her fate. She continued working despite horrible pain and fatigue and kept going when most would have given up. In the end, her exceptional stubbornness turned into an asset as she refused to adhere to the doctor’s timeline.

Geri kept her Faith until the end, teaching us what it means to have real faith despite horrible circumstances. She is truly a saint and a light to all who had the honor of knowing her. There will never, ever be another like her.

She leaves behind her loving family who will be forever lost without her: Devoted parents,Donald and Mary Bechter; siblings, Gina (Kevin) Oser, Joe (Ellen) Bechter, Donna (Lillard) Parks, Meg (Tim) Hite; and her beloved nieces and nephews and their children, Leah (Matt) Natalie and Dominic Leahy, Sarah (Andy) Gemma, Zoey, Benjamin Riggins, Kaila (Joel) Gallardo, Julia Oser, Myles and Mia Parks, Noah, Iris and India Hite. She also leaves behind many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family would like to thank all the kind people who helped us through this journey, with special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Payne, her coworkers at City Hospital, and the nurses at Cooper Cancer Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church,1905 Portage Tr. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 on Saturday, May 20, 2017, and where friends may call 9am until Mass time.   Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Per Geri’s request, “Cake to Follow”.
In Lieu of flowers, please eat chocolate in her memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geralyn "Geri" Mary Bechter, please visit our floral store.