Marguerite Gerhardt

Gerhardt, Marguerite Hazel Shannon Chesapeake, Virginia: March 13th, 1923 – October 5th, 2011. Marguerite ‘Marge’ Gerhardt left this world to join her husband in heaven on October 5, 2011. She cared for her husband, William H. Gerhardt, for several years before he passed away in 2003. They were high school sweethearts, renewing their love after both serving in the Navy during World War II. They were married for more than half a century and God blessed them with three children that filled their home with laughter and adventure. Educated at John Marshall High School in Rochester, NY where she met Bill, her future husband, and at the State Teacher’s College in Cortland, NY she earned her BS and teaching certificate, then finally at VPI, now called Virginia Tech, she earned a Masters Degree in Physical Education. Born in 1923, Marge (her dad called her Hazel, a name she disliked) was the oldest of 4 children, only one of which, Mildred (Shannon) Ping survives her, while her sister, Kay Ludwig, and her brother, Jim Shannon and her parents, Albert and Edith Shannon have predeceased her. When her mother Edith had a stroke she visited her daily for many, many years in the Park Ridge Nursing Home, while also caring for her father Albert. She therefore gave us a incredible lesson by example, in caring for her parents that cannot be overstated or forgotten. She loved to exercise, and was a member of the Greece, New York, Northwest Family YMCA for more than a quarter of a century. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Thomas W. Gerhardt and his wife, Barbara Gerhardt of Chesapeake, Virginia, her daughters Ruthann LaForge currently of Hockwold, Norfolk, UK and Mary Helen Porter of Gloversville, South Carolina as well as her sister-in-law, Helen R. (‘Honey’) Gerhardt, a lifetime resident of Rochester, who now resides in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her grandchildren, Carolyn Jenks, David Gerhardt and Laura Williamson, brought her much joy. She also rejoiced as they found their true loves and married, creating their own family units, Carolyn and Chris Jenks, David and Alana Gerhardt and Laura and Charles Williamson. She marveled at the miracle of a great granddaughter, Natalie Jenks, who she recently met. The main goal of her life was to promote peace and enjoy beauty, which she personally displayed daily. Her favorite song was ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin With Me.’ She loved flowers, and her heart would melt when Bill, her husband of nearly 56 years, would bring her a bouquet or a potted plant. Those who came in contact with her commented on her sweet demeanor, even after surviving the fracture of each hip (twice!) and rehabilitating from the prior injuries as best as she could. Her family and friends will greatly miss her. After serving in World War II as a radioman in the United States Navy as a member of the WAVES, Marge and Bill married on August 23rd, 1947 and settled in the Town of Greece, Rochester, New York, where they remained. After Bill died in 2003, she remained in Greece, NY near her family and friends until she had a stroke in 2007 and moved to Chesapeake to live with Tom and Barbara there. Friends may call Wednesday, November 2nd, 10 A.M. ‘€œ 12 NOON at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, Greece Chapel, 1075 Long Pond Road. Her Graveside Service will be held following at 1:30 P.M. in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (please meet the family at the Dewey Avenue gate). Please support the Stroke Foundation at stroke.org in her honor in lieu of flowers. ‘Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, ‘¦love leaves a memory no one can steal. ‘ From a headstone in Ireland