Geraldine “Geri” Galpin

On April 24, 2006, due to an untreatable brain tumor, we said goodbye to Geraldine “Geri” Galpin, treasured mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and invaluable friend.

She was a vivacious woman, whose free-spirit, kindness, laughter, and wisdom touched so many.

Geri was born April 14, 1927 in San Francisco, Calif. As the daughter of an admiral in the Navy, she grew up in various places such as Berkeley, Cuba, New York, and was in Hawaii during Pearl Harbor. Geri attended the University of Washington for one year before getting married and raising five children.

She eventually found herself on Whidbey Island in 1984. The 22 years she spent in Langley were filled with active community involvement, namely her business, Golden Otter Books. Never one to let age slow her down, Geri’s days was filled with books, music, dancing, holistic medicine, and an interest in Native American cultures. Most of all, her life was filled with friends and family.

Geri is survived by her four siblings; five children, Kathleen White, Bill White, Barbara Carey, Patty Smith and Karen Coney; as well as her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In addition, Geri’s open and loving heart drew many people into her life that became pseudo children and grandchildren making them a part of our family.

The memorial service will be held at Visser’s Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29 2006 with a reception to follow at China City in Freeland starting at 3:30 p.m. Friends are invited to join the family in celebrating Geri’s fulfilling and vibrant life.