Geraldine "Gerry" M. Belanger, Died December 29, 2018

Geraldine M. Belanger

Died Dec. 29, 2018

LAKE LEELANAU – Geraldine Marie Belanger, 93, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018 in Traverse City.

Geraldine “Gerry” was born Feb. 17, 1925 in Traverse City the daughter of Alfred and Martha (Couturier) Lamie.  On June 1, 1948 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church she married Albert J. “Bert” Belanger who preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1999.

Gerry was a life-long resident of Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties.  For years she worked at Trude Hardware store on Front Street in downtown Traverse City and also at Underwood Farm Market.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish of Lake Leelanau and a member of the St. Mary’s Quilters.

She loved her family and friends, enjoyed playing card games and jig saw puzzles.  Gerry hand crafted rosaries, her skills with fixing anything with duct tape are legendary.  She had a quick wit and sense of humor, so much; that her grandchildren called these “grandma-isms.”  Good fortune seemed to surround Gerry, having won a car, numerous chicken dinner quilts and lottery wins over her lifetime. Call it luck or blessings, she had an abundance.

Gerry was a lady of faith and family and they treasure the memories of “Geraldine the dancing queen, prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

The family expresses their deepest thanks to Hospice of Michigan for the wonderful care of our Gerry.

Gerry is survived by her four children, twin daughters, Janet Belanger of Traverse City, Joyce Chupp of Traverse City, Kenneth (Virginia) Belanger of Cedar, Timothy (Katherine) Belanger of Suttons Bay; two siblings, Harriet Courtade of Traverse City, Samuel Lamie of Traverse City; three grandchildren, Scott (Tiffany) Chupp, Shea and Fran Belanger; six great grandchildren, Taylor Chupp, Kodie Chupp, Joyce (Joycie) Chupp, Ashley (Mitch) Alexander, Sarah Cochrane, Tyler Cochrane; and three great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Albert; her parents Alfred and Martha; her sisters, Margaret Lamie and Jean Eva Warren; a brother, James Lamie; her in laws, Donald Courtade, Phyllis Lamie and Keith Warren; grandson, Erich Blough and granddaughter, Robin Cochrane; and a son in law, Arthur Chupp.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5 with visitation at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  Burial in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens will be held at after the service and church luncheon.  Father Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Highway, Ste 115, Traverse City, MI 49684 and/or St. Mary’s Schools, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Please share condolences and memories with Gerry’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page: