Geraldine Ann Risley

September 26, 1939 – May 9, 2018

Geraldine Ann Risley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Wash., surrounded by her family, following a long illness.

Geraldine was born on Sept. 26, 1939 in Deer Lodge, Mont. She later moved to Washington state and married Harvey Risley in Ephrata, Wash. in 1961. The Risleys moved to Spokane and then on to Haines, Alaska, in 1969 where they raised their two sons, David and Dean. After spending many wonderful years in Haines, they retired to Yakima in 2006.

While living in Haines, Geraldine was active in the community as a business owner and a member of the Emblem Club. While in the Emblem Club, she took on many roles including serving as club president. She worked alongside her husband to build their dream home and played an active role on their fishing boat. She enjoyed bowling and was in a women’s league as well as a mixed doubles league. She was a lover of all animals, but she was especially fond of dogs. She had several dogs over the years and enjoyed telling stories about her beloved pets. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden.

She is preceded in death by her mother Harriet Tolliver, her stepfather Bill Tolliver and her brother Gary Tolliver. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Harvey Risley; sons David (Carrie) Risley and Dean Risley; grandsons Darren Rose, Michael Risley and Taylor Risley; brother Ron Ferron; brother-in-law Richard Benjamin and sisters-in-law Eileen McCready and Anne Sanders as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be arranged at a later date. The family would like to thank the care givers at the University of Washington Medical Center, in Seattle and Cottage in the Meadow, in Yakima. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.Brooksidefhc.com.