Margaret "Peggy" Joy Sheldon Geer, 95, formerly of 107 Governor's Circle, Groton, went home to be with her Lord, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at Mystic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Mystic, where she was lovingly taken care of for the past two years.
Peggy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 2, 1921, the daughter of James and Catherine (Smith) Sheldon. She grew up in New London in the height of the depression and was raised by her single mother and two younger sisters. Throughout much adversity, love reigned supreme in the Sheldon household. One of the most positive memories of her childhood was being involved in the Oswegatchie Girls Fife and Drum Corps. She was proud to have been awarded a drum for being the best drummer in the state. She graduated from the former Williams Memorial Institute in New London.
At midnight on New Years Eve 1941, she kissed the love of her life, Ernest J. Geer Jr. Six months later, they started a beautiful married life together on July 9, that lasted for 72 years until Ernest's passing in 2014.
In her early years, Peggy was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed motherhood to the fullest. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and always put her family first and foremost. She retired from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital where she loved being a housekeeping supervisor. Peggy and Ernie enjoyed many years of traveling together. They enjoyed numerous cruises with family and a special trip to Portugal.
Peggy had many talents including her beautiful crocheting, an endless mind for knowledge, her lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles and her supreme reign as Jeopardy queen. She was a member of the "Red Hat" Society and a huge fan of the UCONN ladies basketball team. Personally, she was always there to offer a listening ear and a kind word. She loved people and lived by the philosophy of "You attract more flies with honey than vinegar". She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and will always be remembered for her fighting spirit.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard A. Geer and wife, Savanah, of Groton; daughter, Donna Geer Oswald and husband, Karl, of Ledyard; daughter-in-law, Leah Osowski Geer of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Debby Chisholm, Michele Jerrell (Herrick) of Arizona, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thomas Applegate (Katie) of Montana, Kevin and Mallory Oswald of Ledyard, Jeremy Oswald of Groton; and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Lora and Francis Robarge. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Jessica Strom, Dani, Megan and Allie Chisholm, Brandon and Matthew Jerrell of Arizona, and Margaret "Maggie", Abigail Aguiar "Abbie", and William Applegate of Montana.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Ernest J. Geer III; a daughter, Margaret Ellen Geer Applegate; and a sister, Mary Ellen Cowles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
Peggy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 2, 1921, the daughter of James and Catherine (Smith) Sheldon. She grew up in New London in the height of the depression and was raised by her single mother and two younger sisters. Throughout much adversity, love reigned supreme in the Sheldon household. One of the most positive memories of her childhood was being involved in the Oswegatchie Girls Fife and Drum Corps. She was proud to have been awarded a drum for being the best drummer in the state. She graduated from the former Williams Memorial Institute in New London.
At midnight on New Years Eve 1941, she kissed the love of her life, Ernest J. Geer Jr. Six months later, they started a beautiful married life together on July 9, that lasted for 72 years until Ernest's passing in 2014.
In her early years, Peggy was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed motherhood to the fullest. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and always put her family first and foremost. She retired from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital where she loved being a housekeeping supervisor. Peggy and Ernie enjoyed many years of traveling together. They enjoyed numerous cruises with family and a special trip to Portugal.
Peggy had many talents including her beautiful crocheting, an endless mind for knowledge, her lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles and her supreme reign as Jeopardy queen. She was a member of the "Red Hat" Society and a huge fan of the UCONN ladies basketball team. Personally, she was always there to offer a listening ear and a kind word. She loved people and lived by the philosophy of "You attract more flies with honey than vinegar". She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and will always be remembered for her fighting spirit.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard A. Geer and wife, Savanah, of Groton; daughter, Donna Geer Oswald and husband, Karl, of Ledyard; daughter-in-law, Leah Osowski Geer of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Debby Chisholm, Michele Jerrell (Herrick) of Arizona, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thomas Applegate (Katie) of Montana, Kevin and Mallory Oswald of Ledyard, Jeremy Oswald of Groton; and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Lora and Francis Robarge. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Jessica Strom, Dani, Megan and Allie Chisholm, Brandon and Matthew Jerrell of Arizona, and Margaret "Maggie", Abigail Aguiar "Abbie", and William Applegate of Montana.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Ernest J. Geer III; a daughter, Margaret Ellen Geer Applegate; and a sister, Mary Ellen Cowles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
Margaret "Peggy" Joy Sheldon Geer, 95, formerly of 107 Governor's Circle, Groton, went home to be with her Lord, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at Mystic Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Mystic, where she was lovingly taken care of for the past two years.
Peggy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 2, 1921, the daughter of James and Catherine (Smith) Sheldon. She grew up in New London in the height of the depression and was raised by her single mother and two younger sisters. Throughout much adversity, love reigned supreme in the Sheldon household. One of the most positive memories of her childhood was being involved in the Oswegatchie Girls Fife and Drum Corps. She was proud to have been awarded a drum for being the best drummer in the state. She graduated from the former Williams Memorial Institute in New London.
At midnight on New Years Eve 1941, she kissed the love of her life, Ernest J. Geer Jr. Six months later, they started a beautiful married life together on July 9, that lasted for 72 years until Ernest's passing in 2014.
In her early years, Peggy was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed motherhood to the fullest. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and always put her family first and foremost. She retired from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital where she loved being a housekeeping supervisor. Peggy and Ernie enjoyed many years of traveling together. They enjoyed numerous cruises with family and a special trip to Portugal.
Peggy had many talents including her beautiful crocheting, an endless mind for knowledge, her lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles and her supreme reign as Jeopardy queen. She was a member of the "Red Hat" Society and a huge fan of the UCONN ladies basketball team. Personally, she was always there to offer a listening ear and a kind word. She loved people and lived by the philosophy of "You attract more flies with honey than vinegar". She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and will always be remembered for her fighting spirit.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard A. Geer and wife, Savanah, of Groton; daughter, Donna Geer Oswald and husband, Karl, of Ledyard; daughter-in-law, Leah Osowski Geer of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Debby Chisholm, Michele Jerrell (Herrick) of Arizona, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thomas Applegate (Katie) of Montana, Kevin and Mallory Oswald of Ledyard, Jeremy Oswald of Groton; and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Lora and Francis Robarge. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Jessica Strom, Dani, Megan and Allie Chisholm, Brandon and Matthew Jerrell of Arizona, and Margaret "Maggie", Abigail Aguiar "Abbie", and William Applegate of Montana.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Ernest J. Geer III; a daughter, Margaret Ellen Geer Applegate; and a sister, Mary Ellen Cowles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
Peggy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov. 2, 1921, the daughter of James and Catherine (Smith) Sheldon. She grew up in New London in the height of the depression and was raised by her single mother and two younger sisters. Throughout much adversity, love reigned supreme in the Sheldon household. One of the most positive memories of her childhood was being involved in the Oswegatchie Girls Fife and Drum Corps. She was proud to have been awarded a drum for being the best drummer in the state. She graduated from the former Williams Memorial Institute in New London.
At midnight on New Years Eve 1941, she kissed the love of her life, Ernest J. Geer Jr. Six months later, they started a beautiful married life together on July 9, that lasted for 72 years until Ernest's passing in 2014.
In her early years, Peggy was a wonderful homemaker, who enjoyed motherhood to the fullest. She was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and always put her family first and foremost. She retired from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital where she loved being a housekeeping supervisor. Peggy and Ernie enjoyed many years of traveling together. They enjoyed numerous cruises with family and a special trip to Portugal.
Peggy had many talents including her beautiful crocheting, an endless mind for knowledge, her lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles and her supreme reign as Jeopardy queen. She was a member of the "Red Hat" Society and a huge fan of the UCONN ladies basketball team. Personally, she was always there to offer a listening ear and a kind word. She loved people and lived by the philosophy of "You attract more flies with honey than vinegar". She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and will always be remembered for her fighting spirit.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Richard A. Geer and wife, Savanah, of Groton; daughter, Donna Geer Oswald and husband, Karl, of Ledyard; daughter-in-law, Leah Osowski Geer of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Debby Chisholm, Michele Jerrell (Herrick) of Arizona, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thomas Applegate (Katie) of Montana, Kevin and Mallory Oswald of Ledyard, Jeremy Oswald of Groton; and devoted sister and brother-in-law, Lora and Francis Robarge. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Jessica Strom, Dani, Megan and Allie Chisholm, Brandon and Matthew Jerrell of Arizona, and Margaret "Maggie", Abigail Aguiar "Abbie", and William Applegate of Montana.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Ernest J. Geer III; a daughter, Margaret Ellen Geer Applegate; and a sister, Mary Ellen Cowles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
