Geraldine "Jere" McNally

Geraldine "Jere" McNally, 74 ENCINITAS --Geraldine "Jere" Mary (Duffy) McNally, born April 26, 1934, in New York City; passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by all four of her children, Sunday, February 22, 2009, in Encinitas, Calif. Jere attended Good Shepherd School and Sacred Heart of Mary H.S. in Manhattan, completing her education at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana, the nation's oldest Catholic women's college. Married in 1959 to Gerard Joseph McNally, they lived, where they had grown up, in Good Shepherd parish in the northern Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood. While raising a family that grew to four children by 1969, Jere found time to be very active in the parish. With the changes taking place in the Church at that time, she was instrumental in establishing a weekly folk Mass. She was also a member of the Paulist Players, a theatre group based in the parish. In 1972, the family relocated to the west coast, and after searching for months, the lifetime apartment dwellers chose Encinitas as the location to purchase their first home. Jere continued raising the family and, as the children got older, returned to work. First, in teaching basic English skills to marines at Camp Pendleton, and later as a teacher's aide at Oak Crest Junior High up until the close of the 2008 school year. Her love of language carried over into her leisure time as well, as she was a voracious reader, and lover of the New York Times crossword puzzle. Her love of theatre found an outlet appearing in, and attending productions of, the North Coast Repertory Theatre. She lived her life with a constant devotion to her faith, family and friends! Jere was a loving mother and grandmother whose spirit of strength and support will be greatly missed by each and every one of her children. Jere is survived by daughters, Alyce Gonzalez and son-in-law Mark, of Encinitas, Calif., and Jennifer McNally and partner Nancy Kling of Colorado Springs, Colo; and sons, Gerard and daughter-in-law Kathleen of Bethlehem, Pa., and Charlie and daughter-in-law Tracy of Northampton, Pa.; Grandchildren, Brian, Brendan, Mark, Max, Reilly and Karley. She is also survived by brother, Michael Duffy of Danbury, Conn. Jere was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gerard (Gerry). A viewing will be held from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009, with a praying of the Rosary at 8:00 p.m., at Encinitas Mortuary, 340 Melrose Ave., Encinitas, Calif. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Feb 26, 2009, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church,1001 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, Calif. Interment at Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, Calif. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com