GARDINER – Geraldine Mary (Thibeau) Crocker Moody, 94, of Gardiner, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 at her home of natural causes. She was born Oct. 10, 1926 in Saint Stephen, NB, Canada, the daughter of William and Mary (Boudreau) Thibeau.

When Geraldine was in her teens she and her family moved to the states and eventually settled in Gardiner. At a young age, Geraldine watched over her four brothers and had many stories of their time together. She always had a story about getting one of them out of trouble. Gerry loved to watch her brothers play sports and had a special fondness for each of them.

In 1945, Geraldine married Bertrand Crocker and they had four children together. She and Bertrand enjoyed trips to Reid State Park, family events, working together as janitors in the Gardiner school system, and raising a family together.

After Bertrand’s young death in 1965 Geraldine moved to the Old Brunswick Road where she resided most of her adult life. It is there that she spent much time with her mother. The two were inseparable and shared many laughs together. If you were to visit them you could often find them playing Yahtzee or watching the Lawrence Welk show together. Shortly after her mother’s sudden death, Geraldine moved to be with her son David in South Carolina. It is there that she participated in sewing, baking donuts, discounted Winston cigarettes, her family and visits to the beach. A year later Geraldine found her way back to Gardiner. Geraldine spent close to 56 years at her home in Gardiner raising her younger family of John and Marie, entertaining visitors, and living her life.

In 1985, Geraldine married Ralph Moody and gained four adult stepchildren. Ralph and Geraldine enjoyed bingo games, going out to eat, and visits with family. Ralph and Gerry spent a few summers in Florida together. They vacationed to Cape Cod, Quebec and New York City. They also spent many years together volunteering at the local food bank. Geraldine adored her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. She attended their many sporting events, dance recitals and special occasions. She loved entertaining especially in her backyard where relatives and her friends spent countless hours swimming in her pool.

Geraldine was a homemaker with many talents. She was a wonderful dessert maker and made the most delicious whoopie pies, needhams, nut cake, and pineapple cookies. She loved crossword puzzles, sewing, reading, and knitting and knitted Christmas stockings and sweaters for her cherished family members. Geraldine also took great pride in her flower garden, especially her lilies, dahlias and fox gloves. Geraldine watched many episodes of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She often solved the wheel puzzle with only a couple of letters on the board. She lived a happy, long and simple life.

Geraldine spent the last few years of her life living with her oldest son, William, and daughter-in-law, Sheila. It was there that she was taken care of and given all of the little extras that made her feel special.

She was predeceased by her parents; first husband, Bertrand Crocker, second husband, Ralph Moody; brother Donald Thibeau, sister-in- law Geraldine Thibeau (wife of Frederick); daughter-in-law Trula Crocker (wife of David), son William Crocker; two stepchildren, Robert Moody and Gloria Maschino.

Geraldine is survived by her three children, David Crocker, John Crocker and wife Robin, Sheila Crocker (wife of William), Marie Tarrio and husband David; two stepchildren, Timothy Moody and Jeannette Marshall; brothers and family, Fred Thibeau, Leonard Thibeau and wife Lavenia, Philip Thibeau and wife Judy and Helen Thibeau (wife of Donald); several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Gardiner, on Friday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m. Following the guidelines set forth by the State of Maine and the CDC face masks and social distancing will be required. A Spring committal service will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Gardiner with a celebration of her life to follow, date and time will be announced.

Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

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