Geraldine B. Linenberg

Geraldine B. Linenberg
Dietician, Homemaker, Mother of Five Children, and long-time Westfield resident
Geraldine Bernadette "Gerry" Linenberg passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of December 19th, at the home of her daughter in Haddonfield, NJ after having fought a long and courageous battle against Parkinson's disease. Known affectionately as "Nana" to her 14 grandchildren, she embraced life no matter how challenging the circumstances, and was an inspiration to those who had the privilege of spending time with her. Gerry's will to live was driven by her love for her family, who, in return, will be forever grateful and honored for having loved a wife, mother, sister, aunt, godmother, and niece who was the epitome of selflessness.
Born in Elizabeth, NJ and raised in Roselle, NJ by Bernice and Peter Redzinak with her sister Rosemarie during the depths of the Great Depression, Gerry's childhood was a modest one which provided the catalyst for her desire to succeed. Gerry was an outstanding student and athlete at Abraham Clark High School which culminated with a scholarship to attend Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in 1952. At Baldwin-Wallace, she excelled in academics and sports as well as being recognized for her beauty when she was elected "Grindstone" queen for the annual yearbook during her junior year. She was also a member of the Phi Mu sorority. Gerry graduated cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Shortly thereafter, she enlisted in the US Army as Second Lieutenant and put her skills and knowledge to use as a dietician based at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
It was there that she met the love of her life, Bill, an oral surgeon, and within a year, they were married on December 28, 1957 at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Roselle, NJ. Over the next several years Gerry and Bill remained in the Army where she was promoted to First Lieutenant while spending time in Atlanta and at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. When Bill's tour of duty in the US Army Dental Corps concluded in early 1963, they decided to make Westfield their home.
Gerry was a lifelong athlete, encouraging many friends to live an active and healthy lifestyle. She took up triathlons when she was 50 years old, and participated in numerous triathlons, running, and in-line skate races over a 30+ year period. More often than not, she placed first in her athletic age-group category. She participated annually in the Westfield, NJ Thanksgiving Turkey Trot into her early 80s, and her husband and family joined her on many occasions. Gerry's active lifestyle was instilled upon her five children, who grew up playing multiple sports, and she tirelessly supported and coordinated all of their activities. Her five children are now lifelong athletes and they feel indebted to her for being a tremendous role model. Her competitive spirit extended to the indoors as well where she was the reigning family champion in checkers and scrabble. However, where Gerry was truly the master of her domain was in the kitchen. She had a great fondness for cooking and would regularly prepare the family meals from scratch complemented by her passion for preparing baked desserts. We will dearly miss her Thanksgiving specialties -- apple and pumpkin pies -- as well as her unforgettable Christmas treats, gingerbread and butter cookies.
Geraldine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. William B. Linenberg, Haddonfield, NJ, formerly of Westfield, NJ, an aunt, Mrs. Eleanore Smigelsky, of Clinton, NJ, her sister, Rosemarie Win (and her husband Maung Hia) of Neenah, WI, her nieces Donna Spencer (and her husband Steve) of St. Simons Island, GA and Mary Copeland (and her husband Ron) of Shorewood, MN, her nephew Peter Davidson (and his wife Anne Davidson) of Mountainside, NJ, her five children: Mr. David Linenberg of Westfield, NJ, Mrs. Karen Kurtz (and her husband Steven) of Haddonfield, NJ, Mr. Michael Linenberg of Westfield, NJ, Mr. Mark Linenberg (and his wife Konnie) of Atlanta, GA, Mr. Eric Linenberg (and his wife Courtney) of New York, NY, and her 14 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gerry's name to The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's (www.davisphinneyfoundation.org).