Edwina Pordum Geiger died on October 4, 2018 after a brief and intense battle with cancer. The daughter of Edward and Annette Pordum, Winnie was born on November 4, 1942 and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she was educated in the city’s Catholic school system. She and her future husband Bill re-met (they went to the same grammar school) while taking classes at Canisius College and married in 1965. She was blessed with two children (Karen Marie and Matthew William) and a loving marriage of over 53 years. After living with Bill and the children for periods in Ithaca, NY, Riverside, CA, Evanston, IL and Carbondale, IL., Winnie was very happy when, in 1974, Bill’s appointment at UVM allowed the family to move to Vermont, which became her planned home after reading copies of Vermont Life while she was growing up near Lake Erie. She enjoyed some winter things, such as taking the children ice skating on Lake Champlain and skiing cross-country through the landscapes she loved, but the summer and autumn were her favorite seasons: bicycling, barbequing with friends at Charlotte Beach or sailing with them on Lake Champlain, and taking day trips with Bill, making sure to stop at a convenience store for an ice cream. Winnie’s professional life, which was always balanced by family needs, focused on health care. After working for years as an X-ray technician, she returned to nursing studies. Following her certification as a licensed practical nurse in 1990, she worked in assisted living facilities, including Green Mountain Nursing Home and Ethan Allen Residence, until her retirement in 2006. She also worked for the American Red Cross, as both a nurse and a volunteer trainer. She brought a high level of skill and compassion to her personally rewarding work with the elderly and others in need. Winnie worked for a number of years in volunteer services at the Charlotte Foot Clinic, the Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, and Faith in Action. Her spiritual and life experiences were central to her participation as a team leader in Vermont Marriage Encounter and LEAP programs. She was a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Charlotte. The late Daniel Berrigan, SJ, whom she met in Ithaca in 1967, was a strong influence on her religiosity. Winnie’s enjoyment in meeting people and in seeing new cultures and art was obvious when she and Bill were able to spend several months in Bristol, England, and Christchurch, New Zealand overseas and the Boston, Tucson and Albuquerque areas in the U.S. Winnie’s strongest qualities were her devotion to her husband and children and the unwavering love that she shared with them. Her greatest trial came as her beloved son Matthew suffered through his illness and died in 2016. Throughout her life, she remained strong in her Faith and generous, honest, forthright and caring to her expanded family and friends. This unassuming, ethical, and faith-filled gentle woman was loved by all who knew her well. Winnie was predeceased by Matthew. She is survived by her grateful husband William E. Geiger Jr., by her loving daughter Karen Marie Geiger and daughter-in-law Emily Repp Geiger, by her sisters Ernestine Pordum Spinello and Paula Pordum Calleri, and by numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 4-7 PM at the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel 261 Shelburne Rd, Burlington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday October 10, 2018 at 11 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, Rt 116, Hinesburg. Burial will be private at Resurrection Park. Donations in Winnie’s name could go to Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org) or to the Matthew Geiger Commitment to Service Award at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, Vermont. To place on-line condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Edwina Geiger, please visit our Tribute Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edwina Winnie Geiger 2018.
Death notice for the town of: Burlington, state: Vermont