Germaine (Gerry) Ann Jenkins, age 89, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away at Aultman Compassionate Care Center on September 16, 2018. Gerry was born to her parents, the late William A. and Margaret A. (Charlton) Maier. Gerry attended grade school in Massillon at St. Joseph School, and in 1947 she graduated from Mount Marie Academy in Canton, Ohio.
In her youth, she enjoyed ice skating at the Massillon reservoir and spending time at the Sugar Bowl with friends. As Gerry and her friends became young wives and mothers, they still made time for one another by taking turns hosting a laughter-filled card party each month. As time passed, Gerry added a weekly bowling league to her activities; and when the last of her children entered high school, she returned to work outside the home at Miller Sales.
For her, each morning brought the highlight of a lengthy walk around the walking path with friends, both old and new, at the reservoir. In 1949, Gerry married her great love, Jack M. Jenkins, at St. Joseph Church in Massillon. Together they had 9 children, who deeply mourn their mother’s loss: Marybeth and Glenn Wilkinson, Lawrence and Roberta (Lepping) Jenkins, Kathleen and Andrew Rosenberg, John Jenkins, Dennis and Barbara (Hardy) Jenkins, Patricia Buttermore, Bonita and John Hauser, Margaret and Barry Olszewski, and Martin and Julie (Martin) Jenkins.
In addition, Gerry leaves behind her 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and a sister, Barbara (Maier) Jenkins, who was married to Jack’s brother, Donald Jenkins (deceased). The summer of 2016 brought a huge loss to Gerry when the life of her dearly beloved husband, Jack, ended. She missed him terribly.
She longed to hear his clear, soothing voice sing again. She wished to see his wink and his smile. While watching birds and occasional deer at the feeders outside the windows of her home, she often asked aloud what Jack must be thinking about one thing or another.
Jack and Gerry were a couple in every sense of the word. They enjoyed their lives together even when challenges faced them, all while being respectful, considerate, appreciative, and loving to each other. Over the years, Gerry and Jack traveled to all the 48 contiguous states, and they experienced the adventures and saw the sights those travels provided.
Gerry, however, was a home-body and she herself would have “just preferred to be at home”. Germaine Ann was beautiful inside and out. She brought warmth, love, and healing to others with her sense of humor, smiles, giggles, and laughter.
Gerry was patient, understanding, forgiving, and most importantly, happy with her life. She showed her family what it meant to love unconditionally. She never put herself first.
Gerry gave to give, not to receive. When asked if there was ever another life she once had dreamed of having, she didn’t hesitate a second before she answered, “This is what I dreamed of – having a family and a home”. And a home and a family she had!
Jack cleared 5 acres of land so together they could build a sound home for their growing family. To this day that home remains a haven for her family whenever its solace is needed. Besides her family, she was blessed with so many dear friends, neighbors, and work associates.
They loved and cared for her as she did for them, whether near or apart. Gerry taught her children to find humor in life, even in trying times. She could laugh at herself which was a valuable lesson for all.
She loved each of her nine children in their own special way and made sure each knew that she cherished them all. Gerry Jenkins was the richest woman her family has ever known. Her family could not have had a better example of what is truly important in life – love and family.
Godspeed, Mom. You are loved more than words can express, and you will be missed with every breath we take. In addition to her parents and her husband, Gerry was preceded in death by five of her six siblings: William J. and Marilyn Maier, Mary Margaret (Sid) and Ned Chaddock, James and Dolores Maier, John Maier, and David Maier.
A private family graveside service will be held. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church in Massillon on Tuesday, September 18, at 1:00, with Reverend Michael Seifert officiating. In lieu of flowers, Gerry wished donations be made to St. Mary School, 640 First Street NE, Massillon, Ohio 44646.
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