Geraldine McKinley Garvin of Wilmington, DE died Monday, May 14, 2012.
Born in Boyne City, Michigan in 1922, she was the daughter of the late Donald A. and Isabel (Phillips) McKinley. She attended the University of Michigan (Phi Eta Stigma, Chi Omega) and transferred to Wellesley College, graduating Magna Cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa, Durant Scholar). She joined the U.S. War Records Project in Washington, D.C. In 1944, she married USAF Captain James H. Garvin. They wre stationed in New York and Bermuda. Upon moving to Wilmington in 1947, she started a Brownie Scout troop, assisted at Cub Scout troop, taught Church School classes and joined the Junior Board of the Wilmington Medical Center.
A pioneer in preschool education, she was a leader in the drive to establish public kindergartens in the Wilmington suburbs. She served from 1949 to 1977 as administrator of the Delaware Preschool Assn. She was the first recipient of the AAUW Mather-Smyth scholarship for graduate study at the University of Delaware which awarded her a Master's degree in 1962. In 1966, she joined the faculty at the founding of Brandywine College, now Widener University, where she was professor of psychology and director of the child psychology intern program interacting with 10,000 students. During this period, she was appointed by Gov. Pierre S. du Pont, IV to Delaware's newly-established Foster Care Review Board. She helped edit DELAWARE WOMEN REMEMBERED (1997), and a subsequent volume, A LEGACY FROM DELAWARE WOMEN (1987).
Her community service included participation in Leadership Delaware, President of the Mental Health Assn. in Delaware, and a board member of the United Way of Delaware.
Gerry headed the women's group at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and chaired the annual bazaar. She served two terms as deacon and one term as elder. She was president of the Delaware Branch of the English-Speaking union, and a member of the National Board from whom she received an Award of Merit. The Wilmington Branch of the American Assn. of University Women in 2002 awarded a student scholarship in her name in recognition of her long service. An avid duplicate bridge player, she became an ACBL-sanctioned Silver Life Master. She was a member of the DuPont Country Club, Greenville Country Club, Lincoln Club, World Affairs Council and the Delaware Wellesley Club.
A lady of great integrity and grace, she was admired for her courage and resilience. All who knew her will remember her deep love of her family, cheery personality and quiet thoughtfulness.
She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, James H. Garvin; a son, James Garvin, Jr., MD, PhD of Englewood, NJ; daughter, Nancy Shor , JD and son-in-law, Charles E. Binder, JD, of New York City; three grandchildren, James McKinley Garvin (Emily) of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Caleb McKinley Shor, PhD of Easthampton, MA and Katherine Farmiloe (Dan) of London, England; 2 great grandsons, Charles Anthony Garvin and Edward James Garvin; and a great granddaughter, Claudia Farmiloe.
A Memorial Service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 Friday, May18 at 11:00 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate gifts to The American Assn. of University Women Scholarship Committee, 1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19803.
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