Geraldine Whitby

Whitby, Geraldine G. NORTH GREENBUSH - Geraldine Grant Whitby, 68, beloved wife and best friend for over 44 years of Robert A. Whitby Jr., passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at home surrounded by friends and family after surviving many serious illnesses in her lifetime. Gerry was born in the Bronx and grew up in Albany, the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Margaret Bulman Grant. In addition to her husband Bob, she is survived by her siblings, Margaret Grant of Troy, Thomas Grant of Fairway, KS, John (Barbara) Grant of Marlborough, MA, and Edward (Christine) Grant of Brooklyn, NY. Also her brother-in-law Carl (Helen) Whitby of Browns Mills, NJ, 6 nieces/nephews, and 5 grand nieces/grand nephews. Devoted in faith, Gerry was a member and former lay reader at St. Jude the Apostle Church. She prayed daily for the health and happiness of her friends and family, and gave thanks for the joys she was granted. Gerry graduated from Vincentian Institute in 1965 and studied psychology at SUNY Albany. For nearly 20 years, Gerry was the much loved scorekeeper and fan of her husband's ice hockey and softball teams and supported and cheered Bob on at his many running races. She was also a great fan of RPI hockey. Proud of her Irish ancestry, Gerry visited Ireland in 1982 with her parents, sister, and husband. She was also able to visit Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the Grand Canyon and enjoyed a bus tour to Memphis TN with her Sunnyview pool group friends. She especially loved Irish and Celtic music and listened to "Proud To Be Irish" every Sunday on WVCR. Gifted with a beautiful voice, she loved a wide range of music including bluegrass, Zydeco, Motown, Doo-wop, acapella, opera, Broadway shows and more. Gerry loved gardening in her younger years and was always a voracious reader. She especially enjoyed forensic mysteries, cowboy detective romances, and 1500 to 1700 period British Isles novels. Her sharp mind and quick wit were a formidable challenge, matched only by her husband Bob's creative puns. Together they were a perfect team. For over 40 years, Gerry refused to let ever increasingly severe rheumatoid arthritis and health crises conquer her body or her spirit. Always and ever with brave courage, Gerry fought to find and share with others joy and happiness in whatever life allowed her, giving great thankfulness to God. Her courage to confront her life situation was an inspiration to all who knew her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 26th, 11 a.m., at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Avenue, Wynantskill, NY. Calling hours at the church will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arthritis National Research Foundation (www.curearthritis.com).