It is with great sadness that the family announces that Geraldine (Gerry) passed away peacefully in her sleep at Scarborough Birchmount Hospital on Saturday, October 5. 2024 at the age of 97.

Loving wife of the late Preston Haldenby, pre-deceased by her parents, Gerald and Rebecca (nee Parker) Minor, she was the older sister of Thomas Minor and Donald Minor (Gail), beloved mother of Linda Haldenby (Michael) and Patricia Gordon (Johnny), cherished grandmother of Michael Gordon, Kathryn Gordon (Bryan), Dr. Jennifer Gordon-Fisher (Tyler), Ashley Charlebois (Jer), Sara Gordon (Matt), and Kristin Thorogood. Dear great-grandmother (“GG”) to Lyric, Lennox and Harlyn Charlebois, Nora and Gracie O’Connor-Hutt, and Bronson and Lenna Fisher.

Born and raised in Toronto, she graduated from East York Collegiate Institute and worked in administrative roles at Donlands Dairy before getting a job at Wickett & Craig Limited, where she ultimately met the love of her life, Preston, whom she married in 1954. She was a stay-at-home homemaker during her daughters’ school years, while keeping active in Girl Guides, and she surprised us all by getting a part-time job as a book-keeper for a millionaire philanthropist later in life.

A widow for 39 years, she was still living in her own condo until her recent fall required her to be hospitalized. Gerry was the resilient and capable matriarch and rock of the family who could always be counted on to provide support and sage advice to others and lend a helping hand whenever needed. Gerry thoroughly enjoyed international travel with friends and family, and was the first person we knew to travel to Iceland in the mid-60s -for an international Guide Camp. She enjoyed visiting many countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and the South Pacific, as well as well as every province, the Yukon and many US states. It was after she started to write her Australian pen pal, Lois, at age 12, that she forged a life-long connection with the Cook family in Australia that was passed down to the next generation. She and Lois travelled to and from each other’s countries several times and we got to know her and many other members of the extended Cook family over the years. Gerry was particularly thrilled when Brian and Lyn Cook, (son and daughter-in-law of Lois), travelled to Canada to celebrate with her at her 90th birthday party in 2017. She had many hobbies including gardening, stained glass, cooking and baking, crafts and she even took a course in auto mechanics for women.

She demonstrated her strong leadership and organizational skills in her many volunteer pursuits over the years including: Volunteer, Scarborough Grace Hospital (Birchmount) from 1985-2020, Past President of the Volunteer Association (1994-96), Hospital Craft Group Leader from 1988-2007, Chairman, Volunteer Council, The Scarborough Hospital (2006), and she was twice awarded the Ontario Volunteer Award (1999 and 2009).

She was an Honorary Life Member of the Girl Guides of Canada after over 85 years in Guiding, was the Former National Camp Commissioner for Canada (1972-78), and a Member of the First Agincourt Trefoil Guild.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the kind healthcare staff at Scarborough Birchmount Hospital, where Gerry spent her last 8 days.

Visitation for Gerry will be held at the Pine Hills Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Scarborough on Thursday, October 10 from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Friday, October 11 from 10 am to 11 am. Her celebration of life will be held at the same location on Friday, October 11 from 11 am to 12 pm, with reception following from 12 pm until 2 pm. Interment will follow at 2:30 pm.

If desired, donations may be made to Scarborough Birchmount Hospital or the charity of your choice.