Birth date: Feb 13, 1929 Death date: Feb 22, 2017
Geraldine “Geri” McClanahan Boyd A memorial service for Geraldine “Geri” McClanahan Boyd, age 88, will be held on Tuesday, February 28 from 7-9pm at the Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, IL. Funeral services will be held on Read Obituary
My sincere sympathy and prayers for all. Geri was always so sweet and kind to me. I always looked forward keeping in touch with her over the holidays. May God give you comfort and peace.
Mom was interviewed at Oak Crest Retirement Center just about a month before she passed away. Below is that interview that Linda saved. Mom was a good and loving mother and Christian. We will miss her until we see her again.
Ken Boyd
Name: Geraldine Boyd
Room #: HCW 152
Date: 1/18/17
Address me as: Geri
DOB: 2/13/1929
Geri Boyd Interview Part 1
Social History: My name is Geraldine Boyd and I was born on February 13, 1929. I was born in Nashville , Tennessee . My parents are Grace Lee Winfrey and John Bradley McClanahan. My mom was a housewife, and my dad was a blacksmith . I have one sister, Frankie Dell Patterson. I am not sure what my parents or my sister would say about me.
My favorite childhood memory was when I went to Clear Lake Beach with my family. My
uncle would take me and my sister. He tried to teach me to swim, but it did not go well. I never learned to swim. My favorite childhood pastime was going to the circus and the state fair. My good friend in high school was Jean. I did not play any sports. In my junior year of high school , I worked a summer job as a state vet stenographer. I did not go to college. It was not something girls did back then.
My first job was as a state vet stenographer. I later worked in the health department. I got this job from working there in the summers during high school, and I continued there after I graduated. I enjoyed writing up reports from the doctors, and there was not anything I really disliked about the job. I worked there for a few years, and I worked with about six to eight other people. Later, I won an award from the national life insurance agency.
I courted for about two years. I married on August 6 , 1950. I was married for 54 years. The best part of marriage is being married to someone who had the same ideas of marriage and God as I did. The hardest part of being married was being away from my family. Our favorite activity together was bowling and ice skating with our children . My most memorable experience with my husband was going to Hawaii for our 30th anniversary. I think my husband would say I was a good mother and wife. He always had praise for me .
My chores around the house were mainly to take care of the house, kids, and doing the
shopping. The chores I enjoyed most were cooking and baking. Home, to me, is a place that is very warm and comforting where nothing bad happens. My first home was a duplex. It was a one bedroom duplex on the top of a hil . We also had a Chihuahua named Inky.
My hobbies were embroidering and quilting. My interests were anything with Strawberries. I collect strawberry items like pictures, kitchen items , etc. I also enjoyed playing the piano. My favorite weekend activity was canoeing on Fox River.
I had four children with my husband. Their names are Kenny, Linda, Barbara, and Sandy. Sandy has passed away. My favorite pastime with my children was playing card games and board games. The best thing about being a parent was being able to see them graduate from high school. The worst was when I was in a car accident, before seat belts were used , and m children were injured. It was very scary. Some special family traditions are celebrating Christmas together. If it was possible, we would go back to Tennessee. My children live in a couple different places. Kenneth is an Engineer in Arizona. Linda lives in Sycamore. Barbara lives in Missouri . I also have 11 grandchildren. I think my children would say that I have given them what they needed to be successful. I don't have any advice for new parents.
I have traveled to a few different states, and I have also traveled to Mexico , Canada , Scotland, and London. It was interesting to see the British Museum and learn about its history. My favorite vacation, however, was to Denver, Colorado when we were able to see the mountains.
Name: Geraldine Boyd
Room #: HCW 152
Date: 1/18/17
Address me as: Geri
DOB: 2/13/1929
Geri Boyd Interview Part 2
I attend the Church of Christ. I tried to practice my spirituality by attending all services and group meetings at my church. I relax by playing games on my computer, but I feel most at peace when my family is altogether. One thing that makes me very happy is a good hot fudge sundae.
My attitude about aging is that it has its setbacks, but it's better than the alternative. Being retired does meet my expectations. The best thing about retirement is being fortunate to have some family that lives near me. The worst thing is not being able to drive . My daily routine is that I get up early, eat breakfast, get ready for therapy, and go to some of the activities.
I came to Oak Crest because I had been getting some pamphlets, but my daughter brought me to Oak Crest to look around. I signed up that day. The good thing about living in a group environment is being able to find a friend easily, I can broaden my horizons, or I can stay in. I can do whatever. There are not many challenges. My hobbies are reading, playing games, and checking things on my computer. My interests are my grandchildren. I don't really have any fears.
My favorite food is mostly anything, but I really like fish. I don't have a favorite movie or
actor. My favorite songs are "He Lives" and "Sunshine Tomorrow." My favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and Christmas. My favorite day of the week is Monday because I get to see my grand-kids. My favorite season is spring.
I react to stress by not sleeping, and I don't like taking medicine to help me sleep. I would describe myself as an old lady. I'm proud that I have been able to get off of oxygen. I spend my spare time by shopping. I am most grateful for my family, that I can still attend worship, and that I have a place to live with other people and never feel alone. I want the people who may take care of me to know that if I am in the position of sleeping in my wheelchair, leave me in my room. I don't want to go anywhere if I can't stay awake.
