Geraldine Cecile McQuillan Obituary (1931 - 2009)

SIDNEY Geraldine C. McQuillan, 77, of Sidney died peacefully surrounded by family members on July 26, 2009, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville after a long, hard battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was born Nov. 13, 1931, the eldest daughter of Joseph M. and Marion Gibbs Pinnette. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1950. A highlight of Jerris childhood was her weekly dance lesson in Augusta, despite the inevitable bout of motion sickness caused by the train ride from Waterville. As a young adult, her love of dance led her to a career as a professional dancer in New England which was centered in the Boston area. She continued her dance studies in Amarillo, Texas, where her husband was stationed with the Air Force. After returning to Maine, she traveled to New York to study under Peter Gennaro, at which time she opened Jerris School of Dance and Baton. Her love of dance lives on with her daughter Maureens Young Americans. She was also instrumental in transforming the Waterville Boys Club into the Waterville Boys and Girls Club, which has evolved into the Alfond Youth Center. Her community involvement continued throughout her life, and she held a post on the board of directors of Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, where her mother spent her final years. Jerri developed a problem with alcohol, which she successfully overcame 32 years ago with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. The AA community was like a second family to her. She became an admired counselor who was known for her tough love at Seton Hospitals substance abuse and alcoholism units, and won a governors award for outstanding Maine counselor in the early 1990s. She also overcame her addiction to tobacco 15 years ago, but its damage was apparently already done. Her family is very proud of and inspired by her ability to overcome her demons one day at a time. She loved her work and didnt retire until forced to by declining health at age 73. One day in 1945, a young Bob McQuillan approached the snack bar at Laverdieres Drug Store on Main Street in Waterville and was smitten by the cute 13-year-old behind the counter. The arrow stuck, and they were married during the great blizzard of 1952. Their marriage weathered all the storms thrown at it, and the extended family ties that exist today are a testament to their love and family values. She was predeceased by brothers Herbert, Donald, Robert, Richard and Daniel, and her sister Marilyn. Surviving are her husband of more than 57 years, Robert A. McQuillan of Sidney; her son Robert A. McQuillan Jr. and his wife, Janie, of Embden; her daughter, Maureen E. Morison and her husband, Robert, of Sidney; her son, Rory M. McQuillan and his wife, Judy, of Sidney; daughter Heidi S. Beaulieu and her husband, Jonathon, of Sidney; her sister, Shirley Tercyak of New Britain, Conn.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; sisters-in-law Joyce Pinnette and Carmel Pinnette of Waterville and Jane Pinnette of Unity; brothers-in-law John McQuillan and his wife, Shirley, of Winslow and Donald Reny of Houston; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank the countless staff at MaineGeneral Medical Center who went way out of their way to comfort her. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; we love you more and always will. At her request, there will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church, followed by a reception in the church basement. Donations in her memory may be made to the Alfond Youth Center, 126 North St., Waterville, ME 04901.