Geraldine Marie Cibellis

With hearts both heavy and grateful, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Geraldine Marie Cibellis, known to most as Geri, who peacefully passed away on September 16, 2025, in Villa Park, California. Born on New Year's Day 1936 Duryea, Pennsylvania, Geri brought light and joy into the world from her very first breath-a gift she would continue sharing for 89 beautiful years.

A Love Story for the Ages

The greatest treasure of Geri's life was the profound, magical love she shared with her beloved husband, Dr. Michael J. Cibellis, D.D.S. (Mike). They married on June 1, 1957, beginning a one-of-a-kind marriage - a partnership built on joy, laughter, an unwavering commitment to their family, and a devotion to each other that was so deep it became the stuff of legend among all who knew them. When Mike was stationed with the U.S. Army in Southern California, Geri lovingly followed him west, and together they made Southern California their home for the rest of their lives. Their home rang with love, their conversations sparkled with Mike's quick wit perfectly complemented by Geri's practicality and their love story served as a North Star of what marriage could be at its very best. Even after Mike's passing in 1993, Geri carried their joy forward, her eyes still lighting up when she spoke of their adventures together and the countless moments of happiness they had shared.

A Life of Nurturing and Discovery

Geri's nurturing spirit, shaped during her years at Kings County Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated in September 1956, flowed into every part of her remarkable life. As a devoted mother to Michael, Tamara (now sadly deceased), Matthew, and Nicole, she poured her whole heart into raising her children with the same powerful mix of joy and determination that defined her marriage to Mike. She delighted in their individual personalities and achievements, celebrating each milestone and supporting their dreams with valuable guidance and wisdom. Those same children were not just her pride and joy, but also her companions in many of life's adventures.

Her grandkids-Emily, Nolan, and Coen-were the absolute light of her life, and she was so incredibly proud of each of them. With her grandsons, she delighted in spirited games of Monopoly that could stretch for hours, her competitive spirit shining through as she taught them strategy and the joy of friendly competition. She patiently taught them to play cards, passing on not just the rules but the laughter and camaraderie that came with each hand dealt. Nolan especially loved their quiet moments together reading Snoopy comics from the newspaper, sharing laughs over Charlie Brown's adventures. Coen held a special place in her heart as they shared the same birthday, making their annual celebration doubly meaningful and creating an extra bond between grandma and grandson. For her granddaughter Emily, Geri opened doors to her world in the most wonderful way-Emily would spend her summer and spring break trips at Geri's house for two magical weeks at a time, Geri would teach Emily how to bake and their shopping adventures became legendary bonding expeditions that strengthened their special relationship.

Perhaps most precious with all her grandkids were the moments sitting around Geri's kitchen table, where they asked endless questions about their family history and learn about their families' history. She cherished those conversations, sharing stories that connected them to their roots and helped them understand the remarkable legacy of love, immigration and adventure that had shaped their family. Through these experiences, Geri nurtured a love for the beautiful things that had brought her such joy throughout her life in all her grandkids-from art and gardening to the excitement of discovering new places and cultures.

Her sister-in-law Virginia McCormack and nephews Pearse, Douglas, Brian, and Jim also felt the warmth of her endless love and wisdom, as did her cherished great grandnieces and nephews who brought additional joy to her life.

A Gift for Connection: Her Superpower

Geri and Mike shared a passion for travel that took them and their family to destinations around the world. She found immense joy in exploring new cultures, meeting people from different walks of life, and immersing herself in the rich tapestry of human experience. These journeys weren't just vacations-they were opportunities for learning, growth, and creating cherished memories with the people she loved most.

Geri possessed a rare superpower that touched every aspect of her life: she could make friends anywhere and make anyone feel instantly at home. Whether welcoming a new neighbor, comforting a stranger, or bringing together people from different walks of life, she had an extraordinary ability to see the best in everyone and help them see it in themselves. In times of crisis or uncertainty, Geri was the calm in the storm-the steady, reassuring presence that others sought out when life felt overwhelming. This gift for connection was the foundation of everything she accomplished, from her deep family bonds to her leadership in community organizations.

The Artist's Garden: Where Beauty Bloomed

Geri's deepest passions found their perfect intersection in the beautiful relationship between art and nature. An avid art enthusiast with a discerning eye for beauty, she loved visiting museums where she could spend hours admiring artwork and discovering new artists and other birds of a feather who shared her enthusiasm. Her passion extended to collecting pieces from talented Southern California and other artists from around the world, finding her own personal collection that she lovingly displayed throughout her home, with each piece carefully chosen and meaningful to her.

But it was in her garden that Mike built for her that her Geri's artistic sensibilities truly flourished. From the day she set foot in California back in the 1950s, she fell deeply in love with Southern California's glorious weather and natural beauty, and this love extended well into her passionate dedication to gardening throughout her life. Her hands in the soil, surrounded by the plants and trees she tended with devotion, was where she found a very different peace and serenity. Her garden wasn't just a hobby-it was her sanctuary, her playground, her living canvas where she painted with Crepe Myrtles, Agapanthus and rare fruits, and vegetables. As former president of the Orange County Organic Gardening Society and a committed docent at the Fullerton Arboretum, she shared this passion with countless others, helping others learn that gardening itself is an art form too.

In her own rare fruit orchard, Geri cultivated masterpieces that changed with the seasons. She approached her garden with the same aesthetic appreciation she brought to viewing paintings or sculptures-considering color, texture, form, and the way light played across her carefully curated landscape. Friends and neighbors were blessed not only with the literal fruits of her labor, but also by the joyful spirit she radiated whenever she spoke about both her plants and her passion for art. The home Mike and Geri built together was where she played, where she found peace, and where her spirit danced with the seasons, creating beauty that was as meaningful as any artwork she possessed.

Community and Service

Geri's generous spirit extended far beyond her family through her service to the Orange County community. She was an active member of the Villa Park Women's League, where her warmth and wisdom enriched the lives of all she encountered. Separately, her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and through St. Norbert's Church, she provided comfort and lay counseling to nursing home residents, carrying forward the legacy of compassion she had built for her own family. Whether through her community organizations, her work bringing communion to nursing home residents, or simply being the neighbor everyone could count on, Geri's impact was felt throughout Villa Park and beyond.

A Legacy of Light

Those who knew Geri will remember her as generous, thoughtful, and selfless - qualities that defined not just what she did, but who she was. Her gift for making friends anywhere, her love of cultivating beauty in nature, her listening ear and steady shoulder to cry on, and her open heart created a haven where we always felt safe and cared for.

She taught us that happiness is found in simple pleasures: hands in garden soil, laughter shared with a beloved spouse, children and grandchildren gathered around the table, hard work in the garden, faith and prayer, and the satisfaction of serving others.

Geraldine Marie Cibellis lived a life of extraordinary fullness-complete in love, rich in joy, abundant in service, and beautiful in its simplicity. Like the rare fruits she cultivated with such care, her legacy will continue to nourish and sustain all those whose lives she touched. Her garden of love, laughter, and kindness will bloom forever in our hearts.