Elizabeth A. Gerling

Elizabeth A. Gerling
Marcy, NY
Elizabeth A. Gerling, 50, of Marcy passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
She was born on June 26, 1974 in New Hartford, NY the daughter of Judge Stephen and Diann (Williams) Gerling. She was a 1992 graduate of Whitesboro Central Schools. She continued her education at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 1996, from there she attended Syracuse University where she received her Master's Degree in English Education in 1998.She also received her Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland.
Elizabeth started her teaching career in New Mexico on a Navajo Reservation in 1999 where she taught for five years. She then returned back to the Utica area in 2004 where she taught English in the Utica School system, first at Proctor High School then she transferred to JFK Middle School and then back to Proctor where she became Assistant Principal. She truly enjoyed her time at Proctor, she loved being a role model for her students and went to great lengths to ensure all her students succeeded in all aspects of their lives. She then accepted a position as Principal with Columbus Elementary School in Utica in 2013. This was a job she truly loved.
She is remembered by her family as a loving and caring person who truly loved her job. She enjoyed the camaraderie of all of her teachers and staff and loved the wonderful children that she got to be with every day. Her dedication to education was evident in everything that she did. Her love for her students was second to none. In her free time she loved art, especially drawing, painting and chalk art. She also loved gardening, animals, going to Country Concerts. She loved the peacefulness of the ocean and the beach. She found great joy in giving gifts to others. Her favorite color was turquoise and she made sure everyone knew it. Her warm smile and magnetic personality will be truly missed by her many family members, coworkers and students.
She is survived by her son Noah Gerling of Marcy who was born on the Navajo Reservation in 2004, her parents, Judge Stephen and Diann Gerling of Whitesboro. She leaves her siblings, Daniel Gerling of Whitesboro and Brian J. Gerling and his wife Karyn Burns-Gerling of Manlius, NY. She leaves her nieces and nephews, Abigail and Hailey Gerling and Jack, Charlie and Rory Burns-Gerling. She also leaves many aunts, uncles and cousins. She leaves her best friend Tina Pawloski, and many friends, colleagues, and students at Columbus Elementary School. Last but not least she leaves her three Canine Companions "Georgie", "Duncan", and "Finley" who never left her side
Funeral services will be on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart & St. Mary's Catholic Church 201 Main St. in New York Mills where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Mark Kaminski. Interment will be private at a later date in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Dimbleby Funeral Homes Inc. 40 Main St. in Whitesboro.
For those who wish please consider Anita's Stevens Swan Humane Society; 5664 Horatio St.; Utica, NY 13502, also to help support her son Noah's College Education Please consider donations made Payable to Brian Gerling, 4371 Henne Berry Rd, Manlius, NY 13104 or use the Go Fund Me link to donate https://gofund.me/c55e7ce3. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For online expressions of sympathy please go to www.dimblebyfh.com