Geraldine “Gerry” Richards passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Richards was born and raised in Duquesne, PA, the daughter of the late Anna and George Hanyak. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Chemistry from St. Francis College, Loretta, PA.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lawrence “Larry” Albert Richards Jr., and their four children, Christina Conway (Brian) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Mark Lawrence Richards (Mary Boehme) of Huntsville, AL, Kathleen Ferrante (Dino) of Huntsville, AL, and Patricia Hendrix (Randy) of Jay, FL. Her grandchildren are Dennis Conway, Aileen Havel (Joshua), Erin Gaddes (David), Katherine Richards, Graham Richards, Dominic Ferrante, Luke Ferrante, Patrick Cooke, D. Andrew Cooke, and Christopher Cooke. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Valerie Gaddes, and her sister, Joann Engel (John). Gerry was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Kristen Richards.
After finishing college, Gerry worked for United States Steel Research in the Physical Chemistry Department. Gerry and Larry were married on June 10, 1961, in Duquesne, PA, and then relocated to Sacramento, CA where their children were born.
In 1970, the Richards family arrived in Huntsville where they became members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The children attended Holy Spirit Catholic School, where Gerry was a substitute teacher and actively involved with the Education Committee and the School Board. She earned her teacher’s certification from the University of Alabama at Huntsville and did graduate work at Alabama A&M University. Gerry taught Science and Math for 24 years at Westlawn Middle School.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 30, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with the Rosary to be said at 7:30 p.m. A second visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, October 1 at the church. The Mass of Celebration will follow at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Mac Mahon officiating, and the Rev. Dennis Conway concelebrating. Burial will follow the Mass at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, 7301 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, AL 35806, or Holy Spirit Catholic Church Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 619 Airport Road SW, Huntsville, AL 35802.
