Red Bank resident, Geraldine “Geri” DeFilippo passed away at home on Feb. 1 with her family by her side. She was 71.

Born in Red Bank to the late Anthony and Marie (Cannella) DeFilippo, Geraldine graduated from Middletown High School, received her bachelor of science degree from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, and her master of arts in Teaching at Monmouth University.

She then went on to become an accomplished Art and Science Teacher at Bolger Middle School where she stayed for 29 years.

“Geri spent a great deal of her time with her students and ensuring their success in their academic and personal endeavors. She enjoyed reading and her monthly book club discussions. She also had a great fondness for sports: she enjoyed watching football on the weekends with her friends, and her greatest passion was the New York Yankees. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her nieces and nephews either at the beach or going to places like Disney World and Hershey Park. Geri was one of a kind, with a bigger than life personality and a strong connection to all that interacted with her throughout her life.
She was a truly giving and special soul.”

Loved ones of Geri DeFilippo in her obituary

She is predeceased by her sister, Mary McIlwraith (1993).

She is survived by: her nephew, John McIlwraith; a niece, Katharine Williams and her husband, Paul, Jr.; and four great nieces and nephews, Rosemary and Ian McIlwraith, and Jaxon and Josephine Williams.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home at 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church, 121 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. Interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can made to the Keansburg Board of Education 100 Palmer Ave., Keansburg, 07734 (attention Patricia Faldetta).

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home

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