Ruth “Gerry” Geraldine McGaffigan, age 88 of Blissfield passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Lenawee Medical Care Facility, Adrian. Gerry was born on February 25, 1927 in Grayling, Michigan to William and Ruth (Lovely) Golnick. Gerry was a Cadet Nurse during WWII. In 1952, she married James McGaffigan and they shared 56 years of marriage until his death in 2008. Gerry and Jim were the type of people who were on their honeymoon for 56 years. Together, they loved and nurtured family and friends.
Gerry worked as a registered nurse for Bixby Hospital, retiring in 1988. She loved being a nurse so much that she maintained her nurses license for over six decades. She was a member of Light of Christ Catholic Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church in Blissfield.
Gerry lived for her family, she had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Gerry loved gardening, she spent many hours nurturing her gardens as she did people. She loved all creatures, big and small.
Gerry was a mom to all those who knew her, she nurtured everyone whom she came in contact with. Gerry had a heart of gold and always put others first. She has been known to persuade many into a nursing career. She loved all those who cared for her at Lenawee Medical Care Facility. She was the receiver of many hugs at the change of shift. If you met Gerry, you loved her instantly.
Gerry lived for her family and surviving are four children, Timothy (Lillian) McGaffigan of Jackson, MI, Dennis (Vicki) McGaffigan of Escanaba, MI, Kevin (Trina) McGaffigan of Albion, MI and Susan McGaffigan of Blissfield, MI, (who were not just mother and daughter, but best friends); 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert “Bob” (Jeri) Golnick, Harold “Tike” (Sally) Golnick and Karl (Karen) Golnick, all of Grayling, MI and one sister, Delores “Butch” Feldhauser of Grayling, MI. In addition to her husband, James, she was preceded in death by her parents and 2 brothers, Claude “Buno” Golnick and William “Fritz” Golnick.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Light of Christ Parish (St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church), Blissfield with Fr. Francis Mossholder presiding. Burial will take place in Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian. Visitation will also be held on Thursday, from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. at church.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee Humane Society. Envelopes are available at Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.