Geraldine Eddy
Geraldine Dixon Eddy, 84, the wife of the Reverend Robert M. Eddy, passed away April 22, 2017. Though she had survived many life-threatening medical emergencies, she always found a way to regain her vitality, and remained active all her life.
Born October 9, 1932 in Montgomery, Alabama, Gerry had earned a BA in 1952 from Wesleyan College, with a double major in Theatre and English Literature. She later earned an MA in library science from the University of Michigan. She was a school librarian until 1993 serving schools in Detroit, Michigan; Bought Hills, NY; and for 20 years in Aurora, Colorado.
In 1954 Gerry married Robert Miles Eddy, who was a student at Drew Seminary. In 1956, they moved to North Creek, New York, where Bob served the Methodist Church, and their first child, Lee, was born. In 1958 they moved to Dayton, Ohio where Bob worked for the American Friends Service Committee, on special assignment. Their second daughter Pam and their son Miles were born in Dayton. Bob became a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1963 and their family moved as he served churches in Farmington, MI; Schenectady, NY; and Denver, CO.
Gerry retired in 1993 and traveled with Bob as he served interim ministries in Indianapolis, Indiana; Adelaide, Australia; Denver, CO; and Pensacola, FL. In 2001 they returned to Pensacola, where he served as part time minister until 2005.
They traveled extensively, including one 14-month trip around the world and four years living full-time in an RV. Her curiosity led her to explore many subjects including fossils, geology, flowers, birds, Spanish, and cosmology. She loved assembling crossword puzzles, reading mystery novels, skiing, and music. Biking had a special place in Gerry’s heart. She once said that she felt most truly herself on her bike. Gerry and Bob rode around 49 of the 50 United States, Canada, Europe, and even a couple days in Tibet. They had completed a 13-mile route just two days before her death.
In her later years Gerry immersed herself in Buddhism, attending a number of silent retreats around the country. In Pensacola, she attended the weekly English language meditation services at the Dieu De Vietnamese Temple.
Gerry is survived by husband Robert M. Eddy of Pensacola, FL; daughter Lee Eddy of Seattle, WA; daughter Pam Eddy and son-in-law Shawn Reynolds of Bloomington, IN; son Miles Eddy of Bloomington, IN and grandchild McCarry Reynolds of Santa Cruz, CA.
Additional biographical information and images can be found at a memorial website.
Remembrances can be made in Gerry’s memory to the following organizations – American Civil Liberties Union, Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola, FL, Wesleylan College, Macon GA, Dieu De Temple (9602 Nims Lane, Pensacola, Florida 32534), or Doctors Without Borders.
Her husband, the Rev. Bob Eddy, can be reached at 850-206-7168.