NEW CITY, NY / TUCSON, AZ / MADISON, WI - Geraldine “Geri” Johnson, age 98, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Agrace Hospice Care in Madison, WI. She was born on June 7, 1927, in Schenectady, NY, the daughter of James and Sarah (Gordon) Mitchell.

Geri graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Schenectady. Sometime after high school, she attended a dance with her sister Vivian. The stars aligned when Milton Johnson asked her to dance. They eventually married on May 28, 1949, in Schenectady.

Together they raised their 3 sons in Queens and later New City, NY. They created many wonderful memories with their young family on frequent trips to Jones Beach and special trips to Lake George and New Jersey to visit relatives. Although Geri was a fastidious housekeeper, she tolerated the many “pets” her boys brought home, including salamanders, a flying squirrel, turtles, mice, and pigeons.

Geri worked at the New City Public Library for 20+ years. She enjoyed her work processing books. Some of her coworkers became dear friends.

Geri and Milton shared a love for golfing and playing bridge. Milton’s career offered them the exciting opportunity to live in the Netherlands for a year-an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for travel. They especially enjoyed their adventures together during retirement, with favorite trips including Italy, Spain, and Australia.

After retiring, they relocated to Tucson, AZ, where they both embraced their new community. Geri volunteered at the Sun City Library, was a member of the Garden Club and enjoyed walking in the pool with friends. Geri deeply valued time with her family and enjoyed their visits to Tucson and holidays spent together, in Raleigh, NC, Madison, and sometimes Tucson.

She was a wonderful Nana to Tess. They shared special traditions in Tucson, including French toast every morning, dying Easter eggs, riding in the golf cart, and eating dinner at Sweet Tomatoes. Geri loved reading, especially mysteries. She was an impeccable dresser and never missed her regular Friday appointment for a shampoo and set. She was fond of purple and wore it often. In the last week of her life, she had limited energy but still managed to polish her nails, purple of course.

Geri moved to Wisconsin to be closer to family for what turned out to be the last year and a half of her life. She was reluctant to give up Arizona winters, but she made the best of it and discovered she could handle Wisconsin just fine.

Geraldine is survived by her sons, Mitchell (Diane Pilgrim) Johnson, Milton "Johnnie" (Eileen Kennedy) Johnson Jr., Keith (Cathy) Johnson; and granddaughter, Tess Johnson. She was preceded in death by husband, Milton; parents, James and Sarah; siblings, Evelyn (Ted) Miller, John (Phyllis) Mitchell and Vivian (Julius) Pahl.

There will not be a formal service, but please view Geri’s tribute video that is posted on www.gundersonfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New City Library for a commemorative paver stone to be placed in honor of Geri at the library. Checks for this should be made out to: New City Library with a notation it’s for Geri’s paver and mailed to: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City, NY 10956. If you prefer, you may donate via credit card by calling the library directly at (845) 634-4997 Ext.124 (the front desk).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
(608) 442-5002

Geraldine Johnson

June 07, 1927 - October 16, 2025

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