Welcome to the memorial page for
Geraldine C. Murphy-Smith
January 30, 1944 ~ April 4, 2017 (age 73) 73 Years OldShare Tribute:
Geraldine Cecile Murphy-Smith, 73, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2017, in Manteca, surrounded by her family.
Ms. Gee, as she was affectionately known to multitudes of her students and their families, was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 30, 1944, the daughter of Jeremiah F. and Cecile M. (La Mere) Murphy. She had a long career as a teacher, focusing on early education and special needs children, with a specialty in autism. She worked for many years in both private and public schools in Oakland, Stockton and Tracy. Even after retiring, she continued her commitment to child advocacy. She was well-known for her love of children, not only her own children and grandchildren, but also all her students and the children of her many friends. Former students seeing her in public would run up and hug her, often many years after leaving her class.
She loved the outdoors, especially camping, and would often load up her car with her tent, sleeping bag, dog, and whichever children and grandchildren were available and head up to Big Basin. Her love of the Oakland Raiders could be heard—good or bad—from down the block on gameday! The Renaissance Pleasure Faire was always a favorite and her costume each year grew more elaborate and historically correct. Visitors to Ms. Gee’s home would immediately learn that she was passionate about ancient Egyptian culture. But more than anything she cherished her family. She was so proud of her children and grandsons and would sing their praises to anyone who would listen. She treasured her grandsons and of course her beloved dogs who were treated like four-footed children.
In the summer Ms. Gee could always be seen sporting a headband that of course was color-coordinated with her outfit—down to the color of her tennis shoes, and regardless of the season her socks were bright, happy and colorful. She was an avid reader, and accomplished artist, especially in charcoal and pastels with occasional dabbling in oils. Her favorite color was purple, and she lived the joy found in a favorite poem, “When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple,” by Jenny Joseph.
Ms. Gee is survived by a daughter, Robin M. Cole and her husband Henry, of Tracy, and three sons, Timothy D. Smith of Kent, Washington, Cub McCallister and his husband Nathaniel of Oakland, and Joel A. Smith and his wife Mindy, of Manteca. She is also survived by her brother Kevin F. Murphy of Arizona, and two sisters, Mary F. Murphy and Kathleen F. Murphy-Brown, both of Culpeper, Virginia, as well as four grandsons, Henry A. Cole III, Trevor A. Cole, Elijah A. Smith and Joshua E. Smith, and one great-grandson, Tycho C. Joslin. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas W. Smith.
Services will be held at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave., on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., A Celebration of Life will begin following visitation at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Services will follow at Tracy Mausoleum.
Ms. Gee, as she was affectionately known to multitudes of her students and their families, was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 30, 1944, the daughter of Jeremiah F. and Cecile M. (La Mere) Murphy. She had a long career as a teacher, focusing on early education and special needs children, with a specialty in autism. She worked for many years in both private and public schools in Oakland, Stockton and Tracy. Even after retiring, she continued her commitment to child advocacy. She was well-known for her love of children, not only her own children and grandchildren, but also all her students and the children of her many friends. Former students seeing her in public would run up and hug her, often many years after leaving her class.
She loved the outdoors, especially camping, and would often load up her car with her tent, sleeping bag, dog, and whichever children and grandchildren were available and head up to Big Basin. Her love of the Oakland Raiders could be heard—good or bad—from down the block on gameday! The Renaissance Pleasure Faire was always a favorite and her costume each year grew more elaborate and historically correct. Visitors to Ms. Gee’s home would immediately learn that she was passionate about ancient Egyptian culture. But more than anything she cherished her family. She was so proud of her children and grandsons and would sing their praises to anyone who would listen. She treasured her grandsons and of course her beloved dogs who were treated like four-footed children.
In the summer Ms. Gee could always be seen sporting a headband that of course was color-coordinated with her outfit—down to the color of her tennis shoes, and regardless of the season her socks were bright, happy and colorful. She was an avid reader, and accomplished artist, especially in charcoal and pastels with occasional dabbling in oils. Her favorite color was purple, and she lived the joy found in a favorite poem, “When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple,” by Jenny Joseph.
Ms. Gee is survived by a daughter, Robin M. Cole and her husband Henry, of Tracy, and three sons, Timothy D. Smith of Kent, Washington, Cub McCallister and his husband Nathaniel of Oakland, and Joel A. Smith and his wife Mindy, of Manteca. She is also survived by her brother Kevin F. Murphy of Arizona, and two sisters, Mary F. Murphy and Kathleen F. Murphy-Brown, both of Culpeper, Virginia, as well as four grandsons, Henry A. Cole III, Trevor A. Cole, Elijah A. Smith and Joshua E. Smith, and one great-grandson, Tycho C. Joslin. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas W. Smith.
Services will be held at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave., on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., A Celebration of Life will begin following visitation at 1:00 p.m. Graveside Services will follow at Tracy Mausoleum.
© 2024 Fry Memorial Chapel. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | CFS Privacy Policy