Geraldine passed away peacefully July 2nd, 2018 after being suddenly admitted to Richmond General Hospital for septic shock only four days earlier. She is survived by her husband Allan and sister Marilyn Patricia Byers of Toronto. She was born in Toronto, Ontario on February 17, 1945 to her mother Rose Byers (Stone) and father Victor Byers, and was the youngest of three sisters in her family, Veronica Rosemary Byers (who passed away in 2010) being the oldest.

Geraldine grew up in both Toronto and Montreal, graduating from high school at St. Joseph's Morrow Park in Toronto. As a high school student, she and her class toured Europe one summer and in 1962, she travelled across Canada with her parents and Veronica by CPR Passenger train to Vancouver and then on a cruise ship to Alaska.

While Veronica had cerebral palsy, her sisters attended to her through her life. Geraldine even travelled frequently to Toronto from Richmond to see her. She began her career teaching elementary school in Ontario. Later she was a science librarian at York University and then a librarian in North York for several years. A graduate of York University, she later studied at the University of Toronto under Northrop Frye and earned a Diploma at UBC. She was also a Distinguished Toastmaster.

She met her husband Allan at a friend's wedding in Toronto and they were married ln August 1977. After their honeymoon in Cape Cod, they resumed their careers in Toronto. Allan was originally from the Fraser Valley and when he accepted an offer from UBC in 1981, they moved to British Columbia. Geraldine and Allan moved to Richmond on River Road in 1982, then later to South Richmond after returning from Oxford ln 1986.

After retirement from teaching, she volunteered with the SOS Children's Village, the Vancouver Symphony and Richmond's Caring House. She adored animals and always had time to see the bunnies as they would run to her on her walks. Also, she was involved with the BC Liberals before it became fashionable, was politically astute and a great politician's spouse when Allan was elected as MLA in 1991. For the past two decades, they attended conferences together in North America and worldwide. London and Paris were always highlights. Washington DC was always exciting. But Geraldine's favourite was southern California, especially the many times we stayed at the Beverly Hilton with a suite at poolside and having lunch nearby at the Polo lounge.

On June 28th, Geraldine suddenly fell ill and was taken to RGH where she passed away. While we are shocked, the family still wants to express a special thanks to the ambulance crew who first responded so quickly as well as the RGH Emergency attendants and the care by the ICU staff who attended to her. Kearney Funeral Services in Vancouver are involved with the arrangements. Service will be at Blessed Trinity Church (3220 Bayview) in Toronto on July 21st, followed by burial at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Thornhill, Ontario. ln late July, a Memorial will be held for Geraldine in Richmond.

ln lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.