Geraldine "Gerry" Groves

1926 - 2025

Geraldine "Gerry" Groves
August 15, 1926 - December 12, 2025
Geraldine "Gerry" Goree Groves, aged 99, passed away December 12, 2025 at her home in Petaluma, California following a brief illness. Born in Petaluma on August 15, 1926, to Arthur and Helen Goree, Gerry dedicated her life to education and community service.
Gerry was a proud alumnus of Petaluma High School and of the University of California, Berkeley, where she belonged to the Sigma Kappa sorority. Gerry returned to academia after raising her two children to earn her teaching credential from Sonoma State University and later her master's degree in early childhood education. She was a dedicated third grade teacher at McDowell Elementary in Petaluma, where she touched the lives of countless students.
Gerry was a founding member of AAUW Petaluma and active in the Petaluma Garden Club. Following her retirement from teaching, Gerry continued to serve her community as a volunteer. She was particularly involved with the Friends of the Library organization in Petaluma, where she worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Petaluma Public Library.
Gerry was a woman of many passions. She was an avid reader and a regular at her monthly book club. Her love for books was matched by her enthusiasm for the outdoors; she walked the entire coast of California through her participation in numerous Coastwalk-organized adventures. She enjoyed playing competitive bridge, folk dancing, bird watching, and being with her dogs. Additionally, Gerry was a world traveler who enriched her home with an eclectic collection of artifacts from her travels.
She is survived by her children: Barry Groves (wife Julie Kortum Groves) and Nancy Groves (husband Steve Shannon); her grandchildren: Holden Groves and Dylan Groves (children of Barry), and Kylie Herndon, Miles Herndon, and Quinn Herndon (children of Nancy); and her great-grandson: Graham Groves.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Friends of the Library in Petaluma, an organization that was close to Gerry's heart and benefited greatly from her dedication and hard work.