Geraldine "Gerry" Wilcox Rush Obituary (1942 - 2018)

Geraldine "Gerry" Rush Geraldine Wilcox Rush "Gerry", 76, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, died on September 17, 2018 at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC). Gerry was born January 12, 1942 in Farmersville, New York and grew up in Port Allegany, PA. She was the daughter of the late Horatio and Lula Wilcox. She is survived by husband Jim, daughter Amy, and son Jon (Marjorie), and their children Simeon, Anya, and Heidi of Lowville, New York; sisters Myrtle Lovell, Joyce Marks, and brother Glenn Wilcox. She was preceded in death by brothers Duane, Morris, Richard, Roger, and sisters Mildred and June. After graduating from Eastern Mennonite College (EMC), Gerry taught chemistry labs and swimming at EMC, then chemistry, physics and math at Eastern Mennonite High School. She married Jim Rush on August 16, 1964. After staying home to raise children, she then became an accountant, retiring with PBMares in 2013. She carried over her teaching skills to this new career where she enjoyed mentoring others. Gerry loved volunteering and using her accounting gifts in nonprofit board work, especially her 33 years as a Board Member of Highland Retreat Camp and 7 summers as the Summer Camp Co-Director. She also served on the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board, and the boards of Gemeinschaft Home, HDPI, Inc., VMRC, and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). One of Gerry's hobbies was researching her Wilcox family history. She was able to trace her ancestry back to the first Wilcox in her family that emigrated around 1635 from England to New England. Gerry's death was due to a sudden recurrence of her breast cancer. She was so appreciative of the care of doctors, nurses, staff, friends and family who looked after her through the three weeks of illness. Gerry was a long-time member of Zion Mennonite Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ was an integral part of her life and her work. Her desire was to be a faithful witness of Christ. A memorial service will be held at Zion Mennonite Church on Saturday, September 29, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, Gerry requested that memorial contributions be made to the EMU Nursing Program, 1200 Park Road, c/o Nursing Program, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802 or the VMRC Good Samaritan Fund, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.mcmullenfh.com.