Barbara Jean Geraci

Barbara Jean Geraci of Olney, MD passed away Friday, December 3, 2021, peacefully at home. She was 93 years old.

Barbara was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 24, 1928. She spent her early years in Wisconsin. Sadly, Barbara’s father, a veteran of World War I, died of pneumonia in 1938. After her father’s death, her mom was very resourceful and knew she needed to take care of her two young daughters, and she took the civil service test to obtain a job with the U.S. Government. In 1940, Barbara’s mom was offered a job with the Census Bureau in Washington, DC and moved Barbara and her younger sister, Nancy, to the city.

During high school, Barbara worked for the Federal Housing Administration and continued there after graduating from Coolidge High School in Washington, DC in 1946. She married Frank Geraci in 1947. In 1957 they adopted a son, Brian Geraci, and in 1958, a daughter, Mary Jane Geraci. Barbara became a stay-at-home mom. She was a wonderful mom, very loving and kind. Barbara frequently showed her support by attending her children’s school events, field trips, etc. She and her husband divorced in the mid-1970’s. Barbara was very resilient and strong. She preferred to look forward, not behind.

Barbara took a few classes and applied for a job with the U.S. Government. She became a Statistical Clerk with the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at NIH and remained there for the better part of three decades. In addition to working at NIH, Barbara took an interest in its mission and participated in a long-term eye study and donated over 100 pints of blood during her tenure.

Barbara will be remembered as the best mom in the world, kind and caring to all, positive, easy going, resilient and strong, loving and supportive. She LOVED her family, friends and food!

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Leland Wolcott Williams and Ethel Hull Williams. She was also predeceased by her sister Nancy Sanders, brother-in-law Julius (Al) Sanders and daughter in-law Sheila Geraci.

She is survived by her children: Brian Geraci (fiancée Kelly Mulkins) and Mary Jane Geraci (favorite son-in-law Bob McNally); grandchildren: Stephen Geraci (Monika Geraci), Andrew Geraci (Corinne Lawhead); step grandchildren: Amber McNally, Shane McNally and Cullen McNally; great grandchildren: Reagan Geraci and Ryan Geraci; sisters-in-law Catherine Sickinger and Rose Marie DeCarlo and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will begin at 10am on Tuesday, December 28 at St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am.  Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Barbara’s favorite charities: The Children’s Inn at NIH in Bethesda, MD,  https://give.childrensinn.org/give/329874/#!/donation/checkout or Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica https://www.mustardseed.com/our-work/where-we-serve/jamaica