GERALDINE DUTCHER SHEA
Geraldine Dutcher Shea, 93, of Alpena passed away Aug. 1, 2020, at Turning Brook assisted living facility with her family by her side. She was born Feb. 7, 1927, in Sebewaing, Michigan, to Earl and Hazel Dutcher. The family moved to Alpena in 1930, where her father was a commercial fisherman and her mother cooked and made cinnamon rolls for the kids at Besser Junior High School and her entire family.
On Sept. 25, 1948, she married Robert Shea, who preceded her in death May 28, 2005, after nearly 57 years of marriage. Gerry is survived by their four children, Joanne (Jac) Donald, Jim Shea, Jeff (Micki) Shea, and Jill (Bob) Fitch, eight grandchildren, Jason (Kristin) Donald and James (Candace) Donald, Jessica (Joel) Bauer, Sarah Shea and Jacob Shea, and Lauren (Marty) Slagter, Ryan (Deni) Fitch and Jonathon Fitch, six great-grandchildren, Emma Shea, Sophia Losinski, Lexi Donald, Lewis Donald, Alex Bauer and Mila Bauer.
Gerry also is survived by her brothers, Norman Dutcher and James Dutcher, sister-in-law Barbara Shea Miller, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her parents and her brother Alan (Pete) Dutcher preceded her in death.
Through the years Gerry was active in volunteering with the Alpena Community Concert Association, Jesse Besser Museum, Alpena County Library, League of Women Voters and Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse Society. She was the village clerk of Lincoln, Michigan, when her family lived there. She enjoyed tennis, golf, reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge and gin rummy, and most of all her friends and family.
Gerry has been taken for cremation and visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, from 11 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3 p.m., at McWilliams Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerry’s memory may be made to Hospice of Michigan or the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. Gerry’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff of Turning Brook and Hospice of Michigan for the incredible way they all cared for Gerry. Online condolences can be registered at mcwilliamsfh.com.