It is with great sorrow that we, the family of Geralda "Geri" Dolan, 93, of Amherst, Nova Scotia, announce her passing on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Born on August 10, 1926, in Seaforth, ON, she was the youngest child of the late John and Catherine (Walsh) Flannery. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Geri began her working carrier in Guelph, ON to help provide for her younger sister and ill mother as three of her elder brothers went to serve in the war. While at a Knights of Columbus dance she met her husband, a Veterinary student. Geri married Leonard Joseph Dolan on December 26, 1949. For the next few years the young couple lived in various parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with their growing family. In 1960 they settled in Amherst where they raised seven children on a small farm and her husband was a partner/owner of the Amherst Veterinary Clinic.
Geri was active all her life in church activities, CWL, choir, and served on the Archdiocese Religious Education Committee. Geri had a strong sense of faith and was a role model to her family on the value of prayer. She volunteered in many community programs such as the adult reading program, driver of students for the Head Start Preschool program, Girl Guide Trefoil Guild, Band Parent Association for ARHS, and IODE. She and her husband agreed to have the Fundy Youth Soccer Program use their centrally located property for the enjoyment of all the children to play soccer. She was an excellent photographer, loved to read and expand on her antique collection. Geri was an adventurous cook, baker, and recipe collector and spent many happy hours in her beautiful flower gardens. For ten years she ran the Birchlane Farm Bed and Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people. Geri loved to travel and had many wonderful adventures over the years with her close group of traveling companions and family.
She is survived by daughter Coreen Dolan (Ray Bosomworth), Calgary, AB granddaughter Lynn ( Stephen Krassie), great grandchildren Frank and Margot ; son Daniel (Debora) Halifax/Woodstock, grandchildren Mark (Michelle), Allison, Lauren (Jake Mattinson) great grandchildren Lexel, and Loyol , son Steven ( Brenda Bourgeois ), Halifax and grandsons Connor, and Quinn, son Michael, Miramichi, and Grandson Nathan, Truro, great grandchildren Brody and Casey, daughter Irene (Larry) Legere, Amherst, granddaughter Samantha (Greg), and grandson Andrew (Alana) and great grandsons Fergus & William; daughter Marie Dolan, Halifax; and daughter Ruth (Ron) Dekker, Chatham, ON granddaughters Erin, Morgan, and grandson Owen. She is also survived by sister-in-law’s Betty Clancy, Lourdes Connell, Miramichi, NB; and Louise Werstiuk, Edmonton, AB, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents Geri was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Leonard Dolan, sisters, Katherine Reynolds, Martha Miller, Theresa Flannery, and brothers, Lou, Cyril, John, and James Flannery.
The family would like to give thanks to Marilyn Letcher, Georgie Dwyer, Kim MacDonald, and Donna Everist who were the wonderful caregivers that helped enable their mother to live in her own home until recently. Special mentions to Marilyn, and Georgie who became not only friends to Geri but went above and beyond to keep Geri active, comfortable, entertained throughout her day, and have become part of the family over the last several years. Mom always felt content, safe, and loved with you ladies around her.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777). The family will receive visitors on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Holy Family Parish on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in the St. Charles Nativity Cemetery in the Spring.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the MS Society, Arthritis Society, or Canadian Mental Health. Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Geri's online memorial at www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook Page.