Whether from another aisle at Thriftway or from the back “craft room” at Granny’s, Gerie Wilson’s presence was often first made known by her loud, infectious laughter.
Geralyn was born on May 17, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Leroy and Leona Kassebaum. She passed away at home on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after a courageous but brief battle with cancer.
Gerie grew up in Belleville, Illinois. Unsurprisingly, she was a cheerleader in high school. Gerie’s teaching career began soon after graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1974 when she and four others founded the Child Grove School in St. Louis.
After teaching there for five years, she made the decision to see for herself if the Bible could be a reliable textbook for her life. She went on a missionary assignment in central New York. It was during that year, she met her husband, Ted Wilson. They were married in Syracuse, New York, six months after her one-year assignment was completed.
In 1986 they moved from New York to Vashon Island with their two young daughters, where they lived for 38 years. Gerie started teaching on the island at the Vashon Maury Cooperative Preschool. As her own children grew, she took a job teaching for the school district.
When Chautauqua Elementary opened, Gerie, along with Carolyn Candy and Renee Taylor, developed Vashon’s multiage program. The program received a “Golden Apple’’ award, presented by Governor Gary Lock. Gerie was also awarded the “Doors of Opportunity” award and the “Heroes in the Classroom” award from Symetra Insurance and the Seahawks.
Gerie’s passion for teaching and her deep understanding of how to ignite a student’s love for learning were paramount to her success. She had a talent for recognizing and nurturing each student’s individual strengths. She inspired her students to celebrate each other’s uniqueness, ensuring that each student felt valued and essential to the collective success of the classroom. Her dedication and enthusiasm left an indelible mark on those who had the privilege of learning from her.
As a wife, teacher, mother and grandmother, Gerie exemplified devotion, strength, and unwavering support. Always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear, her love was boundless, extending beyond the classroom and her family, to touch the entire community. Gerie loved her Bible fellowship as well as music, dancing, sailing, gardening, Granny’s, the Burton Coffee Stand, her 7:00 a.m. swim class and helping Teacher Molly in her classroom.
Gerie will be profoundly missed, but the legacy of light that she so selflessly radiated onto her family, friends, and many, many students will no doubt continue to shine brightly from all those who knew her.
Gerie is survived by her devoted husband, Ted Wilson, her daughters Molly Wilson and Katie Besancon, her son-in-law Greg Besancon, her granddaughter Tya Hollimon, and her siblings Judy Pratl, David Kassebaum, and Kim Seppi.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a time to be announced. Please email geralyncelebration@gmail.com and you will receive the invitation when plans solidify.
May 17, 1951 – July 24, 2024
