Obituary of Geraldine M. Callard

Geraldine M. “Gerry” Callard, 90, of the Town of Ridgeway, entered into rest peacefully on December 31, 2019, at her home.

Gerry was born in 1929, daughter to the late Edith (Miller) Neeley in Waterport. She lived there for a period of time and moved to Detroit, MI with her mom and brother. Occasionally she would come back to Waterport to live with her grandma during the summer months.

On April 5, 1947 she married the love of her life, the late Raymond E. Callard and for 72 years they worked to raise a loving family of four children. Together they raised livestock and operated a vegetable and fruit stand at their home on Ridge Road. She also worked at a greenhouse on Bates Road and was a caretaker of the Bates Road Cemetery.  Ray and Gerry owned and operated The Rustic Sign, a silk-screening business out of their home, printing custom jackets, t-shirt, baseball uniforms, ball caps and much more.

She enjoyed reading and crocheting afghans and threw blankets which she gave as gifts. She also enjoyed garage sales, shopping for great deals. She was not a materialistic person and knew the value of money, a trait she tried to instill in her children. Growing up during the Great Depression and WWII, she learned that you had to be somewhat self-sufficient, but was always willing to help others whenever she could. This is what gave her strength and purpose.

Gerry is survived by her son, Gary (DeeDee) Callard; daughters, Peggy (John) Foss and Lori (the late Ronald) Ettinger; ten grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Betty Stehler; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her mother, she was predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, Raymond Callard; her son, Richard Callard; her granddaughter, Sarah Callard; her brother, Floyd Stehler; and her son-in-law, Ronald Ettinger.

Family and friends may call on Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. at the Yates Baptist Church, 11365 East Yates Center Rd., Lyndonville. Masks and social distancing will be mandatory. Burial in Bates Road Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gerry’s memory may be made to Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion, NY 14411.