Geraldine “Gerri” (Toulouse) King

FAIRFIELD – Geraldine “Gerri” (Toulouse) King died Tuesday, July 12, 2022, after a short stay at Lakewood Nursing Home in Waterville with family and friends by her side. She had previously resided at Sunset Home in Waterville and for most of her life in Fairfield.

Gerri was born on Feb. 6, 1925, in Oakland, the daughter of George and Leah Boudreau Toulouse. She was born during a cold snowstorm on a couch in a living room near a wood stove. She loved East Pond where she and her two sisters grew up. She was educated in Oakland schools, a graduate of Milton LA Forrest Williams High School and Thomas College in 1944, located on Main Street in Waterville. She had founder, Mr. Thomas, as her teacher. She married long time Fairfield resident Allie W. King, Jr. in 1952 at Sacred Heart Church in Waterville.

She is survived by a son, Allie W. King, III currently living in Westport, Conn; also, by a sister-in-law, Linda Allard of Freeport; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Lucille Longely of Fairfield, and Retha Duquette of Waterville.

Her first job was at the American Woolen Mill, (Kennebec Mills) in Fairfield. She worked there until the mill was sold and purchased by Mr. R.J. Fromkin from New York. The mill was eventually moved to the old cotton mill in Waterville until it closed. After 24 years as office manager, she temporarily retired and stayed home to take care of Allie, III until he entered 7th grade at junior high in Fairfield. Gerri then worked at the school as administrative assistant to the principal, Richard Dostie until she retired from SAD #49 in 1986.

Upon retirement, Gerri and her husband Allie, Jr. spent five winters in Florida in the New Port Richey area with friends and family. Eventually the Florida trips ended, and her husband of 50 years passed away. Gerri then focused on extensive charitable work to occupy her time. She loved to volunteer at the Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry. She loved fundraising for the new pantry. She loved to knit and made 50 pairs of mittens, 50 hats and 26 shawls every year for 18 years for needy children of the pantry and Catholic Charities. She volunteered at the Lawrence Library for several years as well as at the Maine General Hospital Lab in Waterville for four years. She was on the board of Sunset Home in Waterville for three years. She also assisted Catholic Charities, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Corpus Christi Parish, and the Fairfield Chapter of the Knights of Columbus. She coordinated the publishing of three cookbooks raising funds for Immaculate Heart of Mary, Knights of Columbus, and Sunset Home. Gerri loved people and helping those that needed help. She lived her life based upon the quote by Arthur Ashe: “From what we get we can make a living, what we give we can make a life.”

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday July 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St. in Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday July 20 at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. A luncheon will follow at the Best Western Hotel, 375 Main St., Waterville. Committal services with the family will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Gerri King, to the

Fairfield Interfaith

Food Pantry

c/o Nancy Marcoux

35 Savage St.,

Fairfield, ME 04937 or

Sunset Home

114 College Ave.

Waterville, ME 04901