Geraldine Trent

Geraldine "Jerry" Geary Trent, 94, of Bryn Mawr PA, formerly of Madison NJ, was surrounded by her family when she died from complications of dementia on April 20, 2017.



Born in Meriden CT to the late Maude N. and J. Richard Geary, she remained there until she married Arthur W. Trent in 1954. They relocated to Pittsburgh PA and Elizabeth NJ before settling in Madison in 1958, where Jerry was a devoted resident until her illness in late 2013.



Jerry graduated from Meriden High School and attended all class reunions until her illness. She attended the University of Hartford after high school. As a young mother, Jerry enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park and majored in Elementary Education. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1969.



Jerry worked for the Meriden Draft Board during World War II and saw many friends and neighbors leave for the service. She worked as an executive secretary for Howard Green Co. and for American Cyanamid in Wallingford CT, where she met Art, a chemical engineer.



Jerry taught at St. Patrick's School in Chatham NJ. In 1970 she began teaching third grade at Madison's Central Avenue School and Kings Road School until her retirement in 1989 when she served as a substitute teacher in Madison and Harding Township schools.



Jerry was a longtime member of Church of Christ the King in New Vernon where she was a lector and a member of the Regina Mundi Guild. After her illness, she was a parishioner of St. John Neumann in Bryn Mawr. She was a member of the Madison Teacher's Association, the New Jersey Education Association, the Thursday Morning Club, the American Association of University Women, and Madison's YMCA. With her husband she was a member of the Madison Golf Club, Fairmount Country Club, Copper Springs Club, and Noe Pond Club.



She volunteered at the Madison Senior Center, the Board of Elections, and as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader.



In September, 1976 Jerry and Art's daughter Lisa became ill with neurofibromatosis. After a fast moving, tragic battle Lisa died on January 1, 1977 at the age of 19. Jerry and Art immediately established The Lisa Anne Trent Memorial Scholarship Fund at Madison High School. It recognizes a senior who is pursuing an education in the field that was Lisa's passion, Special Education. Until her illness Jerry personally awarded the scholarship for a total of 37 consecutive years.



Predeceased by her husband and daughter, brothers Richard (Mae) and John (Marie) Geary, Henry J. Zajac, and niece Joanne Geary, Jerry is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Trent, son-in-law Jeffory T. Adams, and adored granddaughter Lisa Geary Adams of Bryn Mawr; her devoted sister Helen G. Zajac of Cheshire CT; goddaughters Cathy (Richard) Wallenius and Marcia (Miron) Geary-Wolnicki; nieces, Tracy Geary Whaples, Sally (Richard) Lambert, nephews John (Sarah), Tim (Kelly), Richard, and Glenn Geary and ten grandnieces and eight grandnephews.



A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 AM on June 3, 2017 at Church of Christ the King, 16 Blue Mill Road, New Vernon NJ. Burial will be private.



The family requests no flowers. If you would like to remember Jerry and her dedication to education, please consider a gift to The Lisa Anne Trent Memorial Scholarship Fund, 762 Robinhood Road, Bryn Mawr PA 19010.