Geraldine Edna (Crawford) Carpenter

Geraldine Edna (Crawford) Carpenter, 90, passed from this life on February 16, 2023, in Waco, TX, with family by her side. She was born in Mt. Vernon, NY in 1932, the son of David and Emily Stewart Crawford. Her sisters, Harriet and Jean, preceded her in death.  A Memorial Service will be 11 am, Friday, April 28th, 2023 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Known as Geri, she married Richard Redmond Carpenter in 1951 in Mt. Vernon, NY; he also preceded her in death. They moved to Edison, NJ where they had children Dina (Mrs. Dana Meek), Lisa (Mrs. Jimmy Cunningham) and Scott (Mrs. Jing Carpenter), who survive her. They were members of First Presbyterian Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, both in Metuchen, NJ. With Dick, Geri enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the Metuchen Golf & Country Club, on New Jersey’s Long Beach Island and entertaining at home.

While raising her children, Geri was a consummate homemaker, known for her cooking and baking, flare for setting a beautiful table and making all feel welcome. Every holiday was celebrated with great enthusiasm. As her husband traveled extensively for work, she managed the household. She wiped tears, baked birthday cakes, attended parent-teacher meetings and worked Little League concession stands, always ensuring her family was well cared for, knowing they were much loved.

When her children were older, she returned to work as a receptionist for Gulton Industries. After a long career, she retired as a medical claims examiner for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, the position of which she was most proud. But, perhaps most impressive, she never stopped being a homemaker.

Having moved with the family to Plano, Texas, in the late 1970s, as a Holy Nativity Episcopal Church parishioner, she volunteered for many years as a Sunday School teacher, with the Altar Guild and usher. Later, they belonged to Christ Church, Plano; at her passing, Geri was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco.

In addition to her children and their spouses, Geri is survived by seven grandchildren and dear friends and family in Texas, the east coast and elsewhere.