ROUND ROCK, Texas – Geraldine “Gerry” Fortin anchored her life around home, despite moving seven times during her 88 years. She lived most of her life in Central and Southern Maine, in Florida after her husband retired and in Texas near her daughter Amy’s home after she became a widow in 2017.

On Dec. 3, 2023, she made her last big move, joining her late husband, Richard Fortin, her parents, Gertrude and Frank Fortin, and her sister, Evelyn Bolduc in the afterlife. She was surrounded by family and her beloved dog, Jack. There is no doubt, the reunion with deceased family members is a joyous one and she will continue to be delighted from above as she watches over her five children and their spouses (Denise Churchill, Michele Fortin / William Lay, Richard Fortin / Bette Fortin, Anne Wortman / Nils Wortman, and Amy Lanning / Ross Lanning); as well as 12 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Geraldine Marie Fortin was born on March 22, 1935 to Frank and Gertrude Fortin in Skowhegan, Maine. She graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1953 where she was a drum majorette and basketball player. She was working at the Somerset County Extension Association when she married Richard Fortin on Jan. 23, 1960. Gerry liked to joke that she married a man with the same last name as her so that she could continue to use her monogrammed luggage. She had her first child, Denise, in 1961 and quickly followed with Michele in 1962, Richard in 1963 and Anne in 1966. Her youngest daughter, Amy, was born in 1977. A few years later, she welcomed her widowed father-in-law, Alex, and eventually her parents, Gertrude and Frank, in her home where she lovingly cared for them.

Gerry taught catechism at the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Berwick, led not-one-but-two girl scout troops simultaneously and later took on a brownie troop. She also volunteered in the office of the Albion Elementary School. She loved being outside whether it was at the beach or camping. She loved animals – particularly dogs – but she indulged her kids with a canary, a parakeet, a rabbit, too many guinea pigs to count, an occasional cat and a steady succession of dogs. Most of all, she loved being with her ever-enlarging family.

Her grandchildren grew up knowing Christmas brunch meant homemade tourtiere pie and pickled beets. Summers meant family BBQs in the front yard with everyone sitting around in the driveway because there were too many to fit on the back deck. The love she showered on her family and friends will live on forever in their hearts and they will treasure the special moments in life she created for them.

Services will be held in late June in Skowhegan.

In lieu of flowers,

please donate to:

Polka Dogz Pet Rescue and Adoption, the agency that connected her with Jack, at http://www.polkadogz.org or you can mail a check made out to Polka Dogz Rescue

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