GERALDINE (WROBLEWSKI) WILLIAMS

June 18, 1923 - Jan. 17, 2014
SOUTH BEND - Geraldine passed Friday, January 17, 2014 in Rocky Mountain Assisted Living. Geraldine was born June 18, 1923 at 716 W. Wayne St., South Bend, IN (the home is still there) to the late Anna (Sosnoski) and Walter Wroblewski. She was very much a loved "baby" of four children. On December 29, 1945 Jerry married Frank J. Kopinski; they had two daughters, Tricia Long of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Sharon (Carey) Emerson of Aurora, CO. Jerry was also blessed with grandchildren, Chris, Jena and Graham Long of Colorado, and Erica (Stefan) Litsberger; great-grandchildren, Ellie and Sofia Litsberger of Sweden, Brian (Shannon) Bradley of CO, and Zachery and Michael Bradley of Huntington Beach, CA. She is also survived by her sister Florence who is 100 years old, and by many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was a graduate of the Class of 1941 at Central High School.

She was a stay at home mom until the girls were in their teens, and was a camp fire leader for many years. Jerry then embarked on a very successful business career. Her first job she was a secretary to the merchandise manager at Robertson's Department Store, where she acquired her love of good clothes. She then worked for World Book Encyclopedia as Office Manager for 15 years; and then the Administrative Assistant of the CEO at the South Bend Community Hospital for 10 years.

In 1981 Jerry was honored as a professional by the YMCA Annual Tribute to women. Jerry was past president for Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, past president of N.A.I.M Organization, corresponding secretary for the Symphony Orchestra, a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Harvest House, the Moose Lodge, South Bend Art League, leader of the Singing Sand Counsel for eight years, and a member of the South Bend and Walkerton Historical Society.

Jerry enjoyed traveling extensively with her girls and her husbands to all 50 states, including Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, all the British Isles, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal and Africa.

Jerry's first husband Frank died November 22, 1975; she then married Bernard B. Williams in 1981 that preceded her in death on January 26, 2011. Jerry mentioned several times how blessed she was with two good husbands. Jerry is also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Norbert.

Visitation for Jerry will be from 10-11:00am on Saturday, January 25, 2014 in St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. where a Funeral Ceremony will be celebrated at 11:00am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.sjfh.net.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jan. 25, 2014.

03/13/2023 EJS