Rita Gery

Rita (Boland) Gery, 97, died April 17, 2013, after a short illness at Sunrise Senior Living in Media, PA, where she had been a resident since October 2012.

She lived in Silver Spring, MD, for over 50 years, before moving to Media, PA, in 2003. Born in Robesonia, PA, she was the last surviving child of the late Thomas N. and Mary Gertrude (Flanagan) Boland.

Rita worked for Holy Ghost Missions and many years for the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity in Silver Spring, MD, where she formed many precious and lifelong friendships. She was also the secretary to the rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., retiring in 1981.

Rita was a founding board member and a founding volunteer for many years with The Shepherd's Table, a non-profit organization in Silver Spring, helping the disadvantaged.

Rita was the widow of Lester R. Gery, who died in March 2004. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sons, Thomas J. Gery and Michael K. Gery; son-in-law, Joseph V. Friel; grandson, Sean M. Hancock. Also predeceased by twelve brothers and sisters: Margaret B. Altenderfer, Matthew J. Boland, Mary B. Winkfield, Thomas N. Boland, Anna C. Boland, Helen B. Tate, John V. Boland, Loretta C. Kuhn, Lawrence F. Boland, Alice P. Boland, Clement R. Boland and Robert K. Boland.

Survivors include four daughters, Ann-Marie G. Friel of Lancaster, PA, Margaret A. Hancock (Daniel) of Media, PA, Leslie R. McCann of Wilmington, DE, and Elizabeth H. Gery (Richard Brennan) of New York, NY; daughter-in-law, Linda V. Gery of Frederick, MD; four grandchildren, Patrick D. Gery (Daniella) of Madison, WI, Christopher M. Gery (Alana) of Columbia, MD, Kathryn M. Gery of Frederick, MD, and Alice G. Brennan of New York, NY; great-grandson, Desmond J. Gery of Madison, WI.

Funeral Mass Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, 2400 N. Providence Road, Upper Providence Twp., Media, PA 19063. Visitation Friday 7–9 p.m. at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Middletown (Rte. 352) & Knowlton Roads, Middletown Twp, Media, PA. Interment Monday in Gethsemane Cemetery, Reading, PA. Memorial contributions: Rita loved flowers but especially loved helping other people. The family, therefore, requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Rev. Abram Dono, S.T., Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 101 West 31st St., Tucson, AZ 85713; or to The Shepherd's Table, 8210 Colonial Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910. www.msbfh.com.