Geraldine Marie "Gerry" Garner

GARNER, Geraldine "Gerry" Marie O'Donnell, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2010, in Evanston, Illinois, after a brave battle with cancer. Born in Lynn, Mass., Gerry spent her childhood in Richmond, Va. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Gertrude High School. She graduated from The College of William and Mary with two degrees in education. She earned a doctoral degree in career counseling from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, receiving the international Ralph Tyler Research Award for her dissertation. She was committed to education and professional development, both for herself and others. Her professional roles included Cooperative Education (Co-op) Coordinator at Virginia Tech; National Project Director of a U.S. Department of Labor Youth Employment Program; Founder/Director of the largest non-technical Co-op program in Virginia while at Virginia Commonwealth University; Associate Dean and Associate Professor at VCU; and director of Northwestern University's School of Engineering Co-op program, where she became the first woman Associate Dean in the School's history. Throughout her career, she was dedicated to increasing opportunities for women and minorities, establishing successful recruitment programs and award-winning mentorship programs. After decades of helping thousands of people begin and advance their careers, she founded a successful business, STCS, Inc., to assist employers in retaining top talent and provide career guidance and grant-writing expertise. She authored and edited numerous papers and three books, all in their third edition. Dedicated to professional and community service, she worked as chairperson of the Sunbelt Athletic Conference NCAA Compliance Committee, Chair of the VCU Athletic Council, Board of Directors Member of the Evanston-Northshore YWCA, and President of the Board of Directors and Co-Executive Director of the Shanti Foundation for Peace. She held many honors, including selection to Phi Kappa Phi, Who's Who of American Women, and multi-year winner of the Mother of the Year Award. Gerry was most proud of her family. To them, she was the center of the family, bringing them together with her patient advice, wonderful cooking, quick wit, unwavering support, unconditional love, and Christmas Queen magic. Gerry was preceded in death by her brother, Martin O'Donnell; her sister, Carroll O'Donnell, and her father, John O'Donnell. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jerry; her daughter, Lauren Garner and husband, John Fabijanic; her son, Adrian Garner and wife, Richelle; her grandchildren, Avery, Riley and Molly, who affectionately referred to her as Nana G; her mother, Rosie O'Donnell; her brother, John O'Donnell and wife, Karen; her niece, nephews and extended family; and by countless friends who will miss her dearly. We LOVE YOU TONS!!! The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday, September 15, at Bliley Funeral Home at 6900 Hull Street Road, Richmond, Va., from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 16, at 10 a.m., at the same location, followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A second memorial service will be held in Evanston, Illinois, on Sunday, September 19, at 4 p.m. at Vail Chapel at 1870 Sheridan Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.