Geraldine Teresa Cipollone, age 81, passed away peacefully on June 5th, 2026, at Lady Lake Senior Living, Lady Lake, FL, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by love, with her husband and children by her side.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 21, 1945, Geri was the daughter of the late Harry and Teresa Hicks (Lare). She met her husband, James, at a drive-in restaurant in Chester, PA in 1964, and the two formed a lasting friendship. Soon after, she was hired by James’s brother to work in their family business, Delaware County Bottling Works. They married in 1965 and moved to Glen Mills, PA, where they raised their four children. Once her children were of school age, she returned to work — first at Exxon Office Systems in Lionville, PA, and then at DuPont Agricultural Products in Wilmington, DE — where she enjoyed successful careers as an Executive Assistant and Event Planner. She was known for her organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to bring people together, qualities that served her well both personally and professionally. After her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she retired early to care for her full time in her final years.
Geri loved hosting family gatherings of any size — graduations, weddings, birthdays — it didn’t matter. She simply looked forward to having her family together. Among our greatest memories growing up were those spent sitting around the table with extended family, debating loudly, usually over politics or whatever the hot topic of the moment was. She was always the loudest in the room and always had to have the last word.
In retirement, Geri embraced life to the fullest. She and Jim spent more than 25 happy years together in The Villages, FL, where she enjoyed golf, Mahjong, and many other social activities. Their best times together were spent at Katie Belle’s, at classic car shows, and dancing to live music in the town square.
Geri is survived by her beloved husband of more than 60 years, James P. Cipollone, Sr.; her children, Donna Maria LaBelle (Stephen), James P. Cipollone, Jr. (Susan), Teresa Burns (Laura), and Lisa Beup (Leonardo); and her stepson, Darrin Bruce. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nicholas, Michael, James III, Lauren, Kirstie, Ryan, Layla, and Lia. She was predeceased by her siblings, Richard, Dorothy, and Eleanor.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159, on Thursday, June 25, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association through Geri’s Tribute page.