Geraldine Lillian Alden

July 16, 1931 - July 16, 2022 On July 16, Geraldine (Jeri) Lillian Alden passed away peacefully in her Century City home after a brief illness at the age of 91. Jeri moved from Detroit to Los Angeles to marry her husband Harold (Hal) Alden who she met as a 16 year-old and was head-over-heels in love with. They were married in 1952 and, for more than 65 years, had an exceptional marriage until his death in 2017. They are survived by their three children; Tony, David and Tracey, plus 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Jeri was a friend and confidant to her nieces and nephews, and a central figure in her extended family. She was a chef extraordinaire who loved to entertain, bringing both Hal's family and hers together for fabulous meals, wonderful wine, abundant conversation and much laughter. Jeri genuinely loved to learn and devoted herself to studying and in 1998 at the age of 67, received a PhD with honors in Modern European history from UCLA. She lived in France for several months to interview people for her dissertation "The Road to Collaboration" and went on to found "Friends of History" a lecture series based on the "French Salons" during revolutionary France. She created charming and stimulating evenings where friends, family and assorted invitees could gather and listen to professors and skilled lecturers discuss various topics at selected lovely homes in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles. She was fluent in French and practiced conversational French well into her 80's and was an avid reader throughout her life. Jeri was a lover of the arts, especially opera, and was an "Angel", which signified her generous support to the LA Opera. She also served on the Board of the L.A Opera and MOCA for many years. Hal and Jeri spent decades collecting art from the 1950's and 60's and their collection remains one of the most impressive representations of modern art, and a source of considerable satisfaction and pride. Jeri and Hal traveled frequently together throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, but she took pride that she could travel alone to places like New Guinea, France, and Italy. She remained physically active, walking daily and working out with a trainer til her death. Jeri loved animals, especially her dog Coco, and adored babies. She often times crossed rooms just to pinch a cheek or two. She will be greatly missed by her family and close friends and will always be remembered as a woman of elegance, poise, the essence of superb taste and true joi de vivre. Au revoir et bon voyage Geraldine!