Geraldine Mary Shannon was born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn to Ursula Mary O’Keefe and Paul J. Shannon on November 16, 1938. She was a graduate of St. Brendan DHS and Queens College in New York.
Gerry was blessed with a gifted voice and deep adoration and love for music. By age 7 she sang solo, requested by the Josephite Sisters. She performed for all religious and academic functions in her grammar school. Gerry was granted a full voice scholarship to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. She was soloist as a first soprano in Glee Clubs in her Alma Maters. While raising her children she joined her dear friend and neighbor, organist Madeline Atkins for a musical venture. They performed at weddings and funerals in addition to being choir members of several churches.
Gerry met her husband Frederic J. Wade at a hotel resort in the PA Poconos, Tri-State region. They married in 1960 and spent 6 years in Naval Active Duties. LCDR Wade died suddenly in 1979 at the age of 43.
Gerry carried on to raise their John and Suzanne. She would inform anyone that the dearest days of her life were spent being a mother.
She accomplished much in her life, and her most memorable holdings were the prayed for, long awaited, natural conception of her children; achieving a “Miss Subway” title from MTA; NYC’s “Miss Roxy Theatre”; wonderful employment satisfaction for years at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn, NY, and New York Telephone Co/Verizon Communications Inc in Manhattan and Wantagh, NY; and relocating to PA for family closeness. Geraldine was a 47 year resident of Port Washington, NY.
Gerry was the caring wife of the late Frederic J. Wade, loving mother of John F.G. Wade (Catherine) and Suzanne U. Drda (Christopher); cherished grandmother of Connor, Ryan, Elizabeth, Alexander, Caroline, and Jack; loving sister of Daniel P. Shannon. She is also survived by dearest cousin Dawn O’Keefe Holmes and family; along with several other wonderful cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives, and sensational friends.
A memorial service will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, Pa, 17101, on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 10:00 A.M.
There will be another memorial service and burial at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY, with the date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg, Pa, 17110.