Geraldine W. “Jerry” Boehm

     Geraldine W. “Jerry” Boehm, age 85, of McHenry, died Monday, March 3, 2008 at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois in Woodstock.
     She was born July 3, 1922 in Chicago to Harry J. and Hazel W. (Beaman) Becker.
     Mrs. Boehm lived in McHenry for more than 70 years. She graduated from McHenry High School in 1940. In 1943 she enlisted as a W.A.V.E. in the United States Navy and served for three years in Washington D.C.’s Office of Naval Intelligence.
     In 1945 she married Robert J. Doran, he preceded her in death on December 25, 1955. In 1959 she moved from McCullom Lake to McHenry and married her second husband John L. Boehm who also preceded her in death on March 22, 2003.
     Jerry served on the original site selection committee for McHenry County College and was secretary of the McHenry Township Republican Women’s Club. She was also the secretary of United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois for 14 years and served for many years as President of McHenry’s UCP affiliate. She founded the Blackhawk Region of United Cerebral Palsy which, to this day, services clients in six northern Illinois counties. Pioneer Center grew out of this organization. She was the founder of McHenry High School’s first PTA, she served many years as President of the local Toastmasters and was District Governor for two years. She was on the Comprehensive Health Planning Committee mandated by Governor Richard Ogilvie, and was instrumental in the construction of McHenry’s first hospital. She also wrote the “Hictory of McHenry Hospital” for the History of McHenry County. In 1973 Jerry graduated from McHenry County College and was named in the Who’s Who in Junior Colleges in 1972-1973.
     She was a charter member of Women’s World War II Veterans, member of the McHenry V.F.W. Auxilary 4600, American Legion Post 491, Amvet Post 269, Toastmasters International for 30 years, and member of First United Methodist Church of McHenry where she sang in the choir for over 30 years. Mrs. Boehm also performed for the Ann Varese Theatre Company. Jerry was a former employee of McHenry Sand and Gravel Company and Quaker, Inc. She was an avid roller skater, loved to camp, fish, sing, golf and had belonged to an exercise group at Shamrock Health Club. She also loved public speaking and fund-raising. However, cooking was not a passion of hers.
     She is survived by six children, James W. (Charlotte) Doran of Laurel, MD, Robert J. (Karen) Doran of McHenry, Kathleen Ellen (Grayling) Repke of Superior, MT, Terrence P. (Susan) Doran of McHenry, Kevin M. Doran of Lake Geneva, WI., Gary S. Boehm of Chattanooga, TN.; seven grandchildren, James Doran, Julie Sherman, Sarah Mudd, Robert Doran III, Michael Repke, David Repke, Lindsey Doran; four great grandchildren, Regan Sherman, Ryan Sherman, Reese Sherman and Isabel Doran Mudd.
     She was preceded in death by her first husband Robert J. Doran; her second husband John L. Boehm; an infant son, John Scott Boehm; her parents; a sister, Dorothea Moore; and a brother, William Becker.
     Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at the George R. Justen & Son Funeral Home, 3519 W. Elm St., McHenry, Il 60050.
     The visitation will continue on Friday, March 7, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 3717 W. Main St., McHenry.
     The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 7, at First United Methodist Church, McHenry.
     Interment will be in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock.
     For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, the family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, McHenry.
     For information, call the funeral home at 815-385-2400. On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.justenfh.com.