FORESTVILLE: Dr. Geraldine “Gerri” S. Hall, 68, of Putnam Road, Forestville, formerly of Cleveland, OH, died Friday, January 8th, 2016 at her residence, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Elizabeth, NJ on July 22, 1947, the daughter of the late Joseph and Victoria (Tower) Karausky.
Dr. Hall was a 1969 graduate of St. Francis College in Lorretto, PA, receiving a Bachelors in Science with emphasis on Biology in a Pre-Med Program. She received a PhD in Microbiology from St. Bonaventure in 1975 then post doctorate training in Microbiology at Cleveland Clinic from 1977-1979. Dr. Hall worked as a Clinical Microbiologist at Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, for 37 years retiring in January 2013. She also was a Professor of Microbiology at Lerner College of Medicine for Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH. Dr. Hall was a member of many Microbiology groups including Northeast Ohio Association Clinical Microbiology (TIIMS), Southeast Association for Clinical Microbiology (SCACM), American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). She enjoyed crafts, crocheting, reading & baking. Dr. Hall loved her Golden Lab Retriever “Molly” and was an ovarian cancer survivor for 13 years.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. James O. Hall, of Forestville, whom she married July 3, 1976, in Iselin, NJ and a son, James Joseph “JJ” (Gabriela Prieto) Hall, of Toledo, OH.
Friends are welcome to call at the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville, on Saturday morning, January 16th, from 10-12. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date in Cleveland, OH.
The family suggests memorial donations may be made either to Brooks Memorial Hospital, 529 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, NY 14048 or to HOSPICE Chautauqua County, Inc. 20 W. Fairmount Avenue Lakewood, NY 14750. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
28 Comments
Kathleen Rippin
Gerri Hall was a brave soldier.Nothing ever brought her down. She was like a second mother to everyone and an inspiration to all who had the priviledge of meeting her. She was my ‘boss’ and more to me at the Cleveland Clinic…She made my work there something to look forward to everyday…rewarding and fulfilling in everyway. She passed away on my mother’s day of passing 5 years ago..how appropriate. She will forever be linked to my mom..and in my heart and prayers..Love and condolences to Jim and JJ. Kathy Pratt Rippin
peggy youngberg
so truly sorry
Nancy Cornish
Gerri was one of my teachers when I did my fellowship in Microbiology at Cleveland Clinic. She always kept track of me and looked out for me. I remember picnics at her house and her wonderful christmas letters keeping me up to date on all the family news. I wish that she had had more time on this earth after retirement with her family and I will miss her.
Gary W. Procop
It is with great sadness that we learned of Gerri’s passing. She was such a wonderful woman and touch so many lives. An outstanding clinical microbiologist, who was always dedicated to optimizing patient care, and so interested in teaching the next generation. Dr. Hall’s contributions continue to play out in those she has taught. Dedicated to her family, friends, pets and to Cleveland sports. She is missed by countless people from around the world. Our condolences to Jim and JJ.
Mark Melaragno
I trained under Gerri at Cleveland Clinic in the early 1990’s. She was such a wonderful person and I will always remember her. I am so sorry for your loss.
Fadi Karim
Gerri Hall was a wonderful person who loved people and her career. I have so much gratitude for her wonderful friendship, mentoring and caring. We are truly saddened. Randa and I extend our sympathy to the family and pray for God’s strength during these times. Gerri was a blessing to all who have known her. God Bless you all
Fadi
Anne Morrissey
Deepest sympathy Jim and JJ. Gerri was a dear friend and microbiology colleague for many years. she will be remembered fondly by those she taught and enlightened with her enthusiasm for her field. She will be sorely missed.
Sincere regards,
Anne Morrissey
Sharon Dolan
Gerri…you will be missed. To her family…thank you for sharing your wife and mom to the world of Microbiology. Her contributions to our profession will carry on for many years. I personally am blessed for getting to know such a wonderful lady. God bless you all. Sharon Dolan
Dr. & Mrs. Matthew Bankowski
Prayers and peace to the Hall family. Gerri was a great lady. She was very loved and respected. She will be missed. She contributed so much to the area of microbiology and patient care. Gerri had a great sense of humor and wit.
Trish Somsel
Gerri gave us a marvelous example of how a life of science and a life of service could be combined in one beautiful person. Shine on, Gerry!
Paul Schreckenberger
Gerri was a colleague and good friend. We attended many meetings together and were often speakers on the same programs. She was great fun to be with and we enjoyed a friendly rivalry between the Cavs and the Bulls. I can never remember her ever being anything but upbeat, talkative, jovial and happy. Always happy. I miss her a lot. May God bless her and all who are close to her. — Dr. Paul Schreckenberger
Gina and Ken Thomson
Please accept our deep sympathy in your grievous loss. We loved Gerri so very much.
Karen Carroll
Dear Jim and JJ,
My deepest condolences to both of you on the loss of your wonderful wife and mother. Gerri was not only an amazing Microbiologist, but an exemplary teacher, mentor and friend. Above all, she loved life and was a model of how to live it. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
With sympathy,
Karen Carroll, Johns Hopkins
Donna Merritt
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gerald Hoeltge MD
Please accept my condolences for your loss. Know that the sadness her lifelong colleagues feel at this time is eclipsed by the happy privilege of having worked beside her for so many years. Dr Hall was a master teacher, a world-class microbiologist, and a friend. Her enthusiasm encouraged us all to do our best. We will miss her and we will enjoy the memories.
Barbara A.Brown-Elliott
Gerri was a wonderfully talented microbiologist and a special colleague and friend. I worked with her writing the CLSI documents and had other correspondence with her throughout my years in the lab. I will also always remember her from the ASM meetings and workshops and how she always had time for a smile and kind words. She will be remembered and missed.
In deepest sympathy,
Barbara A. Brown-Elliott
University of TX Health Science Center at Tyler
Bernice Sharpe
I am so sorry to hear of Gerri’s passing. I know she was suffering and is in a better place but we will miss her. I have thought of you both often and you are in my heart and prayers. Be strong and know we all love you. Bernice Sharpe
Karen Mayher
Dr. Hall was wonderful to work with and work for. Her caring heart, love of life, joyful demeanor and positive attitude made her an incredible woman. She was dedicated as a teacher and provider of the best practices and methods in Microbiology, which ultimately resulted in the best patient care. I am saddened that her life was shortened but know that it was overflowing with goodness as she lived life to the fullest each day. Dr. Hall, I will miss you. To Jim and JJ, my condolences and God’s blessings to you.
Christine Greulich Rland
Gerri Hall is a wondrous person.
As you deal with your pain know that many people hold you all in their hearts. Including me.
Take care.
Love and Blessings,
Chris
Donna M. Wolk
Gerri was one of the people who gave me my first break into the world of ASM and its workshops. I was still a graduate student then, up all night preparing and literally dragging handouts from Kinko’s directly to the workshop, stopping only to shower and grab a cup of coffee. I am sure I looked a wreck – and I was nervous. She was famous, and I was just a grad student – and though we had never met before, she greeted me like an old friend and provided me with directions and some warm words of support. The workshop was about communication in the life sciences, and it went well for a first timer, but at the end of the day I reflected on what was the best communication method of all – Gerri’s smile and the twinkle in her eye, a look that spoke more than words – “everything is going to be ok”. I never forgot the lesson she taught me that day, and I try my best to pass on her kindness. She really did encompass the best in life and in microbiology – service, intellect, dedication, loyalty, humor, and joy in her life and in her work…I hope we can all pay those concepts forward while we remember her with a smile and a twinkle in her eyes. She is certainly with the microbiology angels, as she was one while she lived.
Deepest sympathy,
Donna M. Wolk, MHA, Ph.D., D(ABMM)
System Director, Clinical and Molecular Microbiology
Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA
Preethi Patel
I knew Dr. Hall very briefly before she left the Cleveland Clinic and even in that short time she made a very deep impression on me. Her smile and her openness put everyone around her at ease. She will truly be missed. Condolences to the family.
Preethi Patel, MD
Deb Blue
Gerri was a fine mentor and colleague. She was always happy and bubbly and it was contagious. I am forever thankful to her for recommending me to be on the American Society for Microbiology Professional Development Committee. Travel to the meetings in Washington DC resulted in me meeting my soulmate husband. Thank you Gerri for everything! I miss you. Faith, hope, peace and condolences to the family.
Jerry Belinson
So sorry to hear the news
Gerri was a patient of mine for many years. Even in difficult times I had the feeling she was focused on keeping my spirits up.
I loved caring for her.
My condolences to the family.
JImmy Chua
Gerri Hall was a great teacher.
She was a great and humble mentor who always teach and help me
during my microbiology fellowship in Cleveland Clinic.
She came to Kennewick, Washington to gave a presentation on microbiology as well.
She was instrumental too in helping me get active in ICAAC.
She will be missed and my son Isaac still remembers her Jam.
Our family misses her.
Jimmy Marlene Jilene Isaac and Justin
Barbara A Basille
I am very sorry to hear about Gerri we worked side by side for many years at CCF I will remember her kindness, her devotion to microbiology and to the many she mentored. Sh
Gerri was always smiling and always willing to give of her time she was always there for me after I left CCF to answer questions and to be helpful in any way possible I one will truly miss this wonderful woman May she always be remembered and rest in peace
Barbara Basille
Janet Hindler
I met Gerri many years ago and we connected on multiple levels, to include our roots in New Jersey, marriage to a podiatrist (hers lasted, mine didn’t), and “rapid” speech. I admired Gerri for her hard work, intelligence, teaching abilities, commitment to professional organizations (e.g., ASM and SCACM) passion for clinical microbiology… but most of all for her spirit. She was unstoppable, even when afflicted with a serious illness. It is hard to imagine how many clinical microbiologists learned from Gerri’s teachings and are better professionals because they had the privilege of meeting her. Gerri was a wonderfully kind person and humble about all her accomplishments. Many of us are very sad about Gerri’s passing but we will continue to remember her as we reflect on times that we shared as colleagues and friends. Gerri left a mark on this world that many aspire to and that will endure for decades to come.
With sincerest sympathy,
Janet Hindler
cindy and brad knapp
Jim and JJ
The memorial service and reception you had in Cleveland was everything Gerri would have wanted.Always remember Gerri may have departed from this earth, but she never truly leaves, for she will still live on in our hearts and minds forever. She touched all of our lives in so many special ways and she will be greatly missed everyday. Love, Cindy and Brad Knapp
Sandra (Crea) Pieszak
Just learned of Dr. Hall’s passing. She was one of my professors at SUNY Alfred (1974-1976). A happy and patient instructor. A wonderful person. May she rest in peace.