Geraldine Mae Liimatainen

PITTSFIELD - Geraldine Mae (Witherly) Liimatainen, known as "Gerry", 83, longtime resident of Pittsfield and most recently of Portland died peacefully Sept. 25, 2015, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her loving family at Gosnell Memorial Hospice.

Born May 15, 1932, in Bangor, Maine to Thomas and Pauline (Tozier) Witherly, she attended Bangor schools. She met Robert "Bob" Liimatainen, a serviceman returning from the Korean War and stationed at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor. They were married in 1958 and lived in Western Massachusetts and Millinocket, Maine, where they made many lifelong friends. In 1974, they moved to Pittsfield where they lived for close to 40 years. Gerry had many close friendships in Pittsfield, including the Ladies who Lunch and enjoyed volunteering at Pennywise at the First Congregational Church. They loved to travel, visiting 49 states, and especially loved their yearly spring trips to Marco Island, Florida, and to the Samoset in Rockport each fall.

Gerry was predeceased by her husband Bob. She is survived by her son, Gary and wife, Annette, of Pittsfield; her daughter, Donna and husband, Erik Peterson, of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren, Kyle and Kali Liimatainen and Chad and Marshall Peterson.

At Gerry's request we are going to embrace her life-time love of ice cream and hold a Celebration of Life Ice Cream Social from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, October 4, 2015, at the First Congregational Church, 132 Somerset Avenue, Pittsfield. If unable to attend, please enjoy an ice cream in Gerry's memory! A private family burial will follow.

Gerry's family would like to thank the staff of Birchwoods at Canco, Fallbrook Woods, and Gosnell Memorial Hospice for their kind and loving care. Also special thanks to Dr. Sidney Block in Bangor for many years of excellent arthritis care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gerry's memory to the Arthritis Foundation, 10 High Street, #205, Lewiston, Maine, 04240 or to the First Congregational Church, PO Box 423, Pittsfield, Maine, 04967.

To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.

Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield.