Geraldine "Gerry" Boski, 93, died on August 6, 2024, at Trillium House Hospice Care in Marquette, MI.

Gerry was born on July 28, 1931 to Mamie and Roy Townsend in Tellico Plains, TN.  She was the youngest of 3, her two siblings, Mildred and Ray, were much older so she spent her childhood surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces. As a teenager, Gerry moved with her parents to Detroit, MI.  It was there that she finished her studies and began a job at Brent Hospital as a nurse. She could often be found working in the nursery, where rocking babies highlighted her days.  It was at Brent that she met some of her lifelong friends and was set up to meet the man that would become her husband.

In the fall of 1957, Gerry met Charles "Charlie" Boski.  The meeting was a blind date of sorts, as Gerry was convinced to join a friend at the bowling alley in Dearborn, so she could meet this really great guy.  As it turned out, they had a whirlwind romance that resulted in Charlie calling Gerry up one night, just a few weeks into dating, and proposing to her over the phone.  They were married on February 15, 1958 in the basement of their Dearborn home, surrounded by family and friends.  The couple spent 55 beautiful years together, sharing three children, Robert, Rosemary, and Charles Jr.  Gerry has been noted as saying that the time she spent raising her children was one of her favorite times in life. She was actively involved with Scouts, PTA, and later as guest reader and a camp house parent for her grandchildren.

In 1982, Brent Hospital closed its doors and Gerry was able to spend her time with her family.  She kept busy taking care of her grandchildren as they arrived, traveling with Charlie, and volunteering at church.  Gerry organized many blood drives for the Red Cross, as well as volunteered her time working in the nursery for the MOPS group.

Gerry will be remembered for her big smile, welcoming nature, and calling things as she saw it. You could count on her to be inclusive to all, laugh at your jokes (even the feeblest attempts at humor), have a quirky saying at the ready, and be up for an adventure.  Every year on Christmas Eve, Gerry and Charlie hosted a big gathering at their house including family, friends, and neighbors.  They welcomed everyone, even inviting the mailman on occasion to join the party.  Gerry never let age hold her back, she was always open to trying something new.  Though never learning to swim and being fearful of water, at age 70 she attempted a big water slide at Disney and continued to travel to Mackinac Island, the UP, and Pennsylvania well into her 80s.  In addition, she did not miss a chance to spend time and connect with her grandchildren and eventually her great grandchildren.  "Gram," as many lovingly referred to her, could be seen attending movies like Harry Potter (and reading all the books!), Detroit Tigers games, the Zoo, Greenfield Village, music concerts, and trekking all around Pittsburgh; attending shows, museums, and farmer's markets.  Whether walking, pushing a walker (sometimes with great grandchildren hitching a ride), or being pushed in a wheelchair she was always there! Gerry loved people, so even when home she could be seen sitting on her porch in her rocking chair, enjoying outside, and chatting with neighbors.

Gerry loved gospel and country music, reading, sewing - especially quilts for her children and PJs for her grand and great grand children - all by hand, puzzling, shopping, and baking.  Gram loved being in the kitchen, you could always count on a delicious dessert for Sunday dinners at their house.  If you were lucky enough to be there for breakfast, as all her grandchildren can attest after a Saturday night sleepover, you'd be treated to her homemade biscuits, a tribute to her southern upbringing.  Above all, Gerry loved God and her family.  She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.

Geraldine is survived by her children, Bob (Jolynn) Boski, Rose (Joe) Rose, and Chuck Boski, grandchildren Jenny (Matt) Knight, Sam (Britney) Zamesnik, Becca (Antonio) Runco, Andrew Boski, and Tony (Emily) Boski, great-grandchildren, Josh, Drew, and Benjamin Knight, Mia and Sofia Runco, and Loretta Boski.  She is predeceased by her husband, Charles Boski, daughter in law, Connie Boski, her parents, siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home on August 17, 2024 from 10am-12pm with a service at 12pm. Entombment at Michigan Memorial Park, Flat Rock.