Geraldine had such a beautiful smile. That was her constant gift to her colleagues: the smile, the good humour, the warmth and the humanity that we came to expect from her. Now that we begin to understand the cost of that positivity, it is all the more precious to us.
Geraldine was with us for almost four years. A year ago, she was given a whole new set of tasks and challenges on the fundraising side, and – as usual – Geraldine just accepted the challenge, got on with it, and did it really well. Among those many tasks, she wrote the most wonderful and sincere thank-you letters to our donors. Another, major, task was to work on the 2009 Peace Gala Ball. This new venture was a huge challenge to all of us, and we were blessed to have Ger so involved at the heart of it. She put huge efforts into it, both in all the preparation for months before it, and in the organisation and smooth running of it on the night. Indeed, my abiding memory of her comes from the Ball: very glamorous in her black gown, looking absolutely lovely, and of course with that beautiful smile beaming away.
Geraldine was a good soul, and that’s how we’ll remember her: warm-hearted and smiling, genuinely interested in her colleagues, spreading cheer among us all. In return, I hope we can share a little of the burden of grief with her family and her friends.
I believe that, when we pass on, we continue to live in the hearts of those we have touched. And Geraldine touched our hearts. So she will live forever in the memory of the Glencree Centre, and in the hearts of all her colleagues.
Amid all the deep sadness of this time, we can also find a moment to be thankful:
Thanks, Ger, for your work, your friendship and humanity – and your glorious smile.
Thanks, Ger, for being such a good soul.
David Bloomfield, 15 March 2010 |
