Page 6C ♦ Albert Lea Tribune ♦ Sunday, August 15, 2010
My memory of Geri...
Geri, Geri, Dictionary... I had the pleasure of working with Geri for over nine years — years that were filled with lots of laughter, stories of our kids and pets, crazy Halloween costumes, a few tears along the way and some prayer requests when things got tough. One day I was moseying past Geri’s desk and she was looking something up in the well-worn dictionary that always sits on her desk, and I either asked a question or made a comment, and she proceeded to tell me how she had been christened “Geri, Geri, Dictionary” while in college. So forevermore, that’s what she became to me — in fact, I have two Geri/ Jeri friends and “Geri, Geri, Dictionary” is how I differentiate her to my immediate family (immediate family pertains to two teenage boys who probably only ever think of her as “Geri, Geri, Dictionary” or as “Erin’s mom” — it’s so hard for us moms to have our own identity sometimes!). The Albert Lea Tribune is a great place to work and is very family friendly — and because we have such a family friendly work environment, there are often times employees’ children present. Geri, just like the rest of us, often had her girls with her — sometimes just for a few minutes or sometimes a few hours. I met Erin when she was 4 1/2 years old, and we became fast buddies. Then Tierney came along, and again she hung out quite a bit in the classifieds department and we too became friends. Tierney’s favorite latest activity while hanging out by my desk was to have me text Erin whatever she told me to. Do you think Erin got annoyed with us? Both Erin and Tierney have gone through their princess stages, and Geri was quick to recognize and give her “princesses” all they needed to be caring, giving and overall terrific young ladies. They are a true tribute to a wonderful mother. Speaking of princesses ... the tiara that sits on my computer monitor at the Tribune was a gift to me from Geri and Tierney (even though Tierney wasn’t crazy about giving it up!). It
My memory of Geri... shall remain there as a reminder of my fun and courageous friend for as long as I am at the Tribune. The Tribune holds a Halloween costume contest every year and some of us go all out! Geri and I always had such fun encouraging each other’s crazy costumes. (Geri: “Swine Flew,” a pregnant nun, a blow up Sumo wrestler and many others. Me: “cereal killer,” “white trash,” “self-absorbed” — just to name a few!) Geri was the only person I would tell my costume idea to — we loved encouraging each others silly ideas! I already have this year’s idea picked out, and Geri would have loved it! The idea stemmed from something that happened in the newsroom a few days after last Halloween. Many of you have heard that Geri had a reputation ... a reputation for dancing on her desk after a big project was wrapped up in the newsroom — the “Happy Dance” was something we looked forward to seeing! Last Saturday morning, I was driving to Albert Lea and I heard the song by Mercy Me “I Can Only Imagine” and I sang along with it, thinking of and praying for my friend Geri. For those of you not familiar with the lyrics, they go like this: I can only imagine What it will be like When I walk By your side I can only imagine What my eyes will see When your face Is before me I can only imagine I can only imagine [Chorus:] Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all I can only imagine Geri passed on later that day. I like to think my friend Geri is dancing at the feet of Jesus — I just didn’t think it would be so soon ... Miss you much my friend! — Princess Michelle DaVeiga, classified advertising representative, Albert Lea Tribune
So many memories of Geri have been flashing in my mind these last few days. Working with her at the Tribune: She sat two desks down and one over from me in the newsroom. She was always my voice of reason. She could help me decipher all of the craziness and point me in the right direction. Whether it be to the next person to interview, the best way to tie an article together, or if I wanted any more monkey bread, I needed to act now. Time with her family: They were, are, so welcoming. Family dinners, babysitting the girls, birthday parties, ski shows, PAKET day. They just enveloped you, took care of you. Even after I left the Tribune that continued. In catch-up e-mails, surprise run-ins and monthly lunches (Jake’s was always the preferred spot), our friendship grew. GM Team meetings: While Geri was receiving chemo, Monica Fleegel and I would schedule GM Team meetings around her sessions. To the outside observer, it looked like an important meeting on our calendars, and it
My memory of Geri... was. They didn’t have to know that our important meeting was with our friend in the chemo suite and involved everything from laughing, to reading, to helping Erin make flip-flops for the Relay, to catching up on daytime TV and occasionally just sitting together if that was what was needed. I visited Geri at St. Marys Hospital a couple of times before she passed away and was able to share some of these memories with her and able to make Mike laugh a little. It wasn’t everything I wanted to say, but it was something, and when her eyelids fluttered and her brow furrowed I like to think she was laughing along with us too. At the Tribune, Geri and I were always able to shoot each other looks across the room and know what the other was thinking. So while I wasn’t able to say everything I wanted to say at St. Marys, I kept shooting her looks. Thank you. I love you. I’ll miss you. Thank you. — Jennifer Levisen, community relations specialist, Albert Lea Medical Center
My memory of Geri... One thing that was very apparent for me as I got to know Geri over the years was her love for her family and the importance of including her daughters in her day-to-day activities. I first became familiar with Geri Murtaugh several years ago. I was involved with the Albert Lea Community Theater and Geri would write play reviews and articles for the Tribune. She would usually attend evening play rehearsal to interview actors and actresses. I can seldom remember a rehearsal when she did not have her daughter Erin in tow. After joining the staff here at the Tribune, I noticed Geri enjoyed having her family here to join in different events such as helping to stuff Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunt at the mall. Or if I came in on a Saturday or was here in the evening, I would usually find
Tierney here with her mom as Geri worked. Geri was very dedicated to St. Theodore Catholic School and could be seen actively helping at the annual school auction each year. At the conclusion of her courageous battle with cancer, I suspect the most difficult part for her was leaving this amazing family that she cherished so much. I truly believe she lives on in these amazing young women and will be close to them as they make their way through life. I have come to learn that the Tribune is much more than a place to work. It is a family. You mess with one of us and you mess with all of us. Cancer has no idea what this Tribune family is capable of. We will remain vigilant to pray for a cure and raise funds to fight this horrible disease. — Catherine Buboltz, sales representative, Albert Lea Tribune
My memory of Geri...
Variables are one of the few constants working in a newsroom. Geri was one of those constants. Being new to journalism and the newspaper in 2005 and sitting directly across from her desk, I had plenty of rookie questions for her. Mostly, “What’s AP style for this?” or, “How can I possibly fit this much text in that box?” Throughout the years, I imagine she answered thousands of questions from inquisitive young reporters wanting to know where to start a story. In the search for sources in town, many times Geri was the source. She was the perfect example for young journalists. Geri had a knack for celebrations. I especially enjoyed the Murtaugh family’s “concrete slab party,” at which the family invited several guests to celebrate the installation of a new
concrete slab in their backyard. She was the unofficial potluck instigator-in-chief. Often potlucks marked the end of someone’s tenure at the paper. Most people get one send-off potluck. Going back and forth on college breaks, I was fortunate to be honored with farewell potlucks three times. In between potlucks, I could always count on frequent visits to the staff’s favorite lunchtime to the Wok n’ Roll. Geri coined the perfect term for that 2 o’clock malaise after a lunchtime Chinese buffet: “The Wok-Coma.” Geri was fortunate to have an wonderful family, and her family was fortunate to know her as a mother, wife, daughter and sister. I was fortunate to call her a friend and role model. — Nathan Cooper, education director, Sheet Metal Contractors of Iowa
My memory of Geri... I first met Geri when my dad and brother were involved in the Bayside Ski Club several years ago. It wasn’t until I started working at the Tribune, almost four years ago, that I got to know Geri more as a person. Geri taught and helped me so much at work. She seemed to always be willing and volunteering to help anyone. I remember a cold winter Saturday evening when the snow was falling heavily and I got locked out of the building. She came all the way across town to get me in. She was never the person to say no. I will never forget how she made everyone laugh with her sense of humor. She would have a witty comeback
for almost everything. I would sit and wish I could have thought of that. I admire how hard working she was and the passion she had. It seemed she always came into work even on those days she was sick. When Geri got breast cancer she managed to stay so strong and find laughter in it all. I gained so much respect for her through it and hope to one day have half her strength. Geri was always one to bring laughter and joy to the Tribune whether it was through her delicious baking, sense of humor or contagious smile. She will be missed but never forgotten. — Danielle Boss, community editor, Albert Lea Tribune
Geri McShane had a knack for ferreting out intriguing, unusual stories. Shortly after arriving in the Albert Lea Tribune newsroom in February 1988, I learned I had a gem of a city editor. People would say a few words in passing or something would catch her eye, and McShane would salt the idea away. When a slow news day arrived or the Albert Lea Tribune newsroom had a special project or when a reporter just needed a lighter story after an overload of hard news, she’d toss something from her staff ’s way. Some of the most memorable feature stories in my early career came through her. “Hey, Anne,” she would call across the Tribune newsroom, “I heard there’s a duck that thinks it’s a dog. Interested?” I was. “There’s a man in Bricelyn who’s making caskets,” she said. I went. “How about covering cowpie bingo?” she
asked another day. By this time McShane had me hooked. One hot summer day sent me to don firefighter turnout gear and participate in genuine training for a firsthand report. I went and came back five pounds lighter — and with a story. Geri McShane was generous with sharing potential leads and then generous with her time in helping craft readersatisfying features. I like to think I’m a better editor because of what I learned from her. The same day I learned that Geri had died, a new book I’ll kindly call a satirical venture landed on my desk. The work is so strange I suspect it’s a winner — or at least a story about it could be. As I called out to the newsroom, “Hey, I’ve got a quirky book here by some local guy. Any takers?” I found myself smiling in my grief and hoping my good friend is proud. — Anne Jacobson, editor, Red Wing Republican Eagle
My memory of Geri... I first met Geri in the summer of 1986 when she first started at the Tribune, where I had been working for the past year and a half. I don’t remember any of the details, but she eventually started dating one of my best friends, Mike Murtaugh, who was working with me in the advertising department. This relationship ended up in a beautiful wedding on Oct. 26, 1991, the day of the Twins exciting Game 6 win in the World Series with the Braves. We were at the Legion in Albert Lea. Whenever the Braves batted, we were dancing; when the Twins batted, we were all in front of the televisions. What a celebration we had when Puckett sent it to Game 7. When I finally decided the time was right to get married to my wife, Nancy, in 1999, Geri pulled one off
that had the entire town laughing. Working with my best man, Dan Dorman, who I believe paid for the space in the paper, Geri wrote a mock wedding announcement about our forthcoming event. My wife’s maiden name was Heck, so Geri used this to write up quite an announcement — that I was marrying a “heck of a nice gal,” and I had waited a “heck of a long time to get married,” etc. She also wrote a beautiful story on the adoption of our two children in 2006 that still brings tears to my eyes when I read it and is currently hanging in our adoption agency in Blue Earth. Thanks for so many memories, Geri. My family will love you forever. — Tom Jones, insurance agent at Strong Insurance, awards manager at Tiger City Sports
My memory of Geri... I am honored to have been able to call Geri my friend and was blessed to have her in my life. I will always remember Geri for her beautiful smile and sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of her family and kids. I remember Geri talking about all the activities that she was running her two daughters to and from. Geri was blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family and they were blessed to have such a wonderful mother and wife. I remember Geri for all the work and time she spent helping with the St. Theodore School Auction. She was always excited for this event and proud of the success. She will also be remembered for her love of baking treats for us, here at work and at ski shows and fundraisers. Geri was a fabulous baker and most famous for her monkey bread. She shared the recipe
with many, but none can compare to the ones she made. She was a selfless person who would drop everything to help someone out. I remember a few years ago a stray cat came to my house. Not being a “cat” person I was not sure what to do other than feed and provide water to this cat. Geri volunteered to come out and give the cat a bath and help with anything we needed to make this cat part of our family. This is just one of the many acts of love and kindness I saw from Geri. She was always there and willing to help. She was truly a selfless person. It is still hard to believe that she is no longer here with us. She will be forever in our hearts. Heaven just got another angel. — Kathy Johnson, graphic designer, Albert Lea Tribune