Geraldine M. Ciacchini

Geraldine M. Ciacchini

Geraldine M. Ciacchini, age 82, of Millcreek, passed away at home on Friday, July 6, 2012. She was born in Erie on September 14, 1929, the daughter of George and Josephine Luciano Ciotti. Gerrie was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School in 1947. As a high school teenager she had the envious job at the Boston Store front square Beauty Counter, where the world met.

Gerrie married Roland "Chic" Ciacchini on January 12, 1957. After raising a family and children in school, using her charm and love for education, she went to work for some interesting people and diverse assignments. She served as Secretary to specialists in the Erie County School System, Dr. Jack Jarvie and Dr. John Timon, as well as Dr. Melvin Carney, Superintendent of the Erie School District. She was later hired by Dr. Kenneth Franz at the Erie County Intermediate Unit School from which she later retired.

Gerrie was very cooperative and supportive in picking up family, changing schools and environments to further her husband's career by living in Chicago, California and New York for years. This permitted a real life experience to see the vast area of our beautiful country.

The spirit and excitement of travel continued for years with family Easter travel to Hilton Head, California, Canada and Europe. Probably the most cherished of adventures was attending the majestic Masters Golf Tournament for over a quarter of a century.

She never excelled at golf, but came from a golfing family. She enjoyed immensely the comradery of her friends in the Kahkwa nine hold golf league. Also, she enjoyed greatly the many years of bridge with neighborhood friends. However, her greatest focus on life was absolute devotion to her children and grandchildren.

Gerrie enjoyed in recent years the many joy rides she made with Chic at the Peninsula, the spectacular display of Mother Nature and the opportunity to dwell in moments of silence.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years; two children, Nancy Orlando and her husband Q. Gregory of Erie, and David Ciacchini and his wife Mary Therese of Erie, and eight grandchildren: Leslie, David, Gregor, Katharine, Ellen, David, Jr., Caroline and Annie. She is further survived by a brother George Ciotti and his wife, Dorine, and a sister Jeannette Bickerstaff; as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Monday from 3 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral, 230 West 10th Street, on Tuesday at 10:00AM. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Regional Cancer Center, 2500 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505; a truly special place of Experts, Compassion, Hope and Commitment.