Geraldine “Gerry” Bartlett

She lived most of her adult life in Forestville, until she relocated to Texas in 1995. In November 2021, she returned home to Western New York, where she was surrounded by family and friends and the caring people of St. Columban’s.

A 1954 graduate of Fredonia High School, Gerry enjoyed a long work career in Western New York, including roles as an accountant, payroll clerk, treasurer, property tax employee and ultimately retiring from the Chautauqua County Board of Elections in the mid-1990s. She especially enjoyed working for the faculty-student association at the State University of New York at Fredonia and in the Department of Finance for Chautauqua County. Gerry was a loyal and conscientious employee who took great pride in her work, while at the same time raising three children.

She met her future husband, Jim Muck (who died in 2013) while working as a waitress at the former Sheridan Diner. Together they had three children and seven grandchildren. Gerry was a member of the Forestville United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years.

Despite her love for numbers and accounting, (she balanced her checkbook to the penny until just a few years before her death), she also had an artistic side and created wonderful holiday projects for her Sunday school students. One year, she helped them create Yuletide candles built on little logs that her father helped customize. Gerry always found a way to chaperone her kid’s school trips and bake cookies for school holiday celebrations.

Later in life, she spent special time with each grandchild and helped raise her four grandchildren in Texas. She took great pride in road-tripping across Texas between households, as well as performing the upkeep in the gardens at each of her children’s homes. Her love for her family knew no boundaries; her generous spirit was shared across many states. Her life was devoted to her parents, her children and her grandchildren. She went to many lengths to form a loving bond with them all – a job well done, GG.

She was grateful to be a 37-year breast cancer survivor and credited Roswell Park Cancer Center with saving her life. She believed guardian angels looked after her during her battle with cancer. One morning decades ago, when she was driving to work in Fredonia- late as usual after getting three kids off to school she spotted a tiny boy walking down Maple Avenue in his pajamas. She stopped the car, gently led him to a nearby home and called the police to reunite him with his parents. She figures it was her one chance to be a guardian angel on earth.

Survivors include three children: Steve (Sandy) Muck of Forestville, Patti (Denny Angelle) Muck of Richmond, Texas, Nelson “Chip” (Michelle) Muck of Cedar Park, Texas; and one sister, Nelda (Ron) Gostomski of Forestville. Also surviving are six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters: Evelyn Langhans and Lorene Kelley; and a grandson, Nick Muck.

The family plans a celebration of life in the spring. She and her children would like to thank the caring souls who dedicate their lives to St. Columban’s on the Lake. The staff and the residents showed Gerry love and compassion and provided a safe home for her during her final three months of life.

The family suggests memorials may be made to St. Columban’s On The Lake Retirement Home, 2546 Lake Road, Silver Creek, NY 14136.

Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolence or memories go to www.rilesandwoolley funeralhome.com.