Stephentown – Bessie Belle Goodermote Geerholt, 89, of Route 43, Stephentown, NY, died on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at her residence after being stricken.
Born in Berlin, NY, on April 27, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Wealthy Wescott Goodermote. She was the loving wife of the late Alfred J. Geerholt, Sr., who died on February 2, 1988. They were married in Lebanon Springs, NY, on April 17, 1937.
A lifelong resident of the area, Bessie attended the Dutch Reformed Church of Berlin and the Stephentown Center Baptist Church. She was a homemaker in her earlier years before working in sales at Montgomery Ward in Menands, NY, along with working at the Nancy Shoe Co. in Hoosick Falls, NY. She was a Nurses’ Aide in the Labor and Delivery Nursery at Samaritan Hospital, Troy, NY, for 20 years retiring in 1981. For a few years she operated Mayer’s Restaurant in Stephentown. Bessie enjoyed gardening and working the wood business with her late husband.
Survivors include her daughter, Joyce and her husband Gordon Shepard Sr. of West Stephentown, NY, a daughter-in-law, Helen Mallard of Tampa, FL, grandchildren, Deborah and husband Ron Rousseau, Gordon Shepard Jr. and wife Darlene, Stanley Shepard, Wayne and his wife Olya Shepard, John and wife Michelle Geerholt, James and wife Suzanne Geerholt and Joseph and Kristy Geerholt, a stepgrandson, Billy Mallard, thirteen great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by a son, Alfred J. Geerholt, Jr., and siblings, Arthur Goodermote, Clara Jones, Blanche Jones, Irma Cave, Jessie Goodermote and Beatrice Hewitt.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 31, at 2 pm in the West Stephentown Baptist Church, 1672 NY Route 43, Stephentown, where Rev. Trygve Tomlinson will officiate. There will be no calling hours. Spring interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Stephentown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department. For an online guest registry, please visit www.hall-higgins.com.