It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Geri Kemnitz Woodward on June 4, 2020. She had non-Covid related pnuemonia. She had been residing in a care facility in Scottsdale. We will keep you informed of any information we receive regarding services.
Geri was one of my best friends in high school. We have stayed in touch throughout the years and yes she was an amazing woman who will be missed dearly. Geri enjoyed life to it fullest. The last time I got to see Geri in person was when we went to our 40th year high school class reunion. We shared a room and reminisced about old times. Other than that we would talk on the phone or text and seeing her many post on Facebook. I was in Geri’s wedding and she was in mine. We had our first babies around the same time, her son Matt and my daughter Alicia. Unfortunately I lived in California when she still lived in Arizona so we didn’t get to see each other a lot when we were raising our families. I love u Geri and will greatly miss u my dear friend. Your family is in my prayers.
I was deeply saddened to learn today of Geri's passing. I met Geri in grade school, when we both attended St. Thomas the Apostle. She was smart, pretty, fun, and--truth be told--I had a bit of a boyish crush on her. Although we lost contact during junior high years, I was glad when we reconnected a few years later at Camelback. I saw Geri most recently at our 40th class reunion, which included a "mini-reunion" of St. Thomas grads on Friday evening. She was in great spirits and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her and catching up. I last heard from Geri a couple of years ago when she emailed me to reminisce about a 5th grade class we had together. Geri was always thoughtful and kind to me, and never lost that spirit of fun she had when I first met her. My thoughts and prayers will be for the comfort and consolation of Geri's family and loved ones at this most difficult time. Although Geri will be greatly missed by many, including me, I'm confident she brought that spirit of fun with her when she entered Heaven!
My heart breaks for Geri's family and for all who loved her. She was a bright light in our world: so wonderfully positive, friendly, and remarkably resilient. I'm grateful to have known her.
I got to know Geri at our 40th reunion and thereafter. Nice girl, smiles, easy conversation, pretty. I hope to see her again someday. I feel a bit guilty when I think of all that she has gone through and that she still managed a bright, warm smile. Very, very admirable person and people always seem to say nice things about her. Peace Geri. Warm regards and prayers for her family.
“My friends are the beings through whom God loves me.”
― Mark Nepo,
Geri was my friend. I met Geri in 2014 when someone posted on Facebook that a woman who lived in Cave Creek needed a ride to a get together at Aunt Chilada’s. Since I live in Cave Creek, I offered to give her a ride. I picked her up at her beautiful house not knowing she was in a wheelchair. It was everything I could do to get the wheelchair in the trunk of my small car. Not too long after that we started going places together. Quickly I graduated as a driver of her handicapped van. I got to see life from her perspective, and it gave me tremendous respect for her tenacity and courage.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many. The last time I saw her was the day before the first quarantine started in Arizona in 2020. I visited her at the nursing home facility in Scottsdale. She had reached out to me and asked me to come. I am grateful I went that day. I know she was bored to tears in that place. I attempted to give her encouragement. I am not certain, but I think the quarantine and not being able to see her family and friends was the final reckoning for her. She had spent enough time being captive in her body and her soul longed to be free. In the short time I knew her, she was courageous and strong. It gives me tremendous solace to know her soul is free rejoicing in the immortality and reunion with those who have gone before her. God bless her loving and kind soul.
I attended her celebration of life at Highlands Church in Scottsdale in August 2020.
“The treasure of friendship is your richest possession, because it goes with you beyond this life. All the true friends you have made you will meet again in the home of the Father, for real love is never lost.” Paramahansa Yogananda, Divine Romance
Geri was always a pleasure to be around. Although she had a horrible accident and was limitied to activies, she continued to have a great positive spirt. I had visited her in her beautiful home and also when she was in the hospital. Glad to have celebrated her birthday with her and our dear friend, Sandi Steele, who is now in heaven with her. Until we meet again... friends for life, from one world to another.
Marcia Scalf (Seitz)
Geri was one of my best friends in high school. We have stayed in touch throughout the years and yes she was an amazing woman who will be missed dearly. Geri enjoyed life to it fullest. The last time I got to see Geri in person was when we went to our 40th year high school class reunion. We shared a room and reminisced about old times. Other than that we would talk on the phone or text and seeing her many post on Facebook. I was in Geri’s wedding and she was in mine. We had our first babies around the same time, her son Matt and my daughter Alicia. Unfortunately I lived in California when she still lived in Arizona so we didn’t get to see each other a lot when we were raising our families. I love u Geri and will greatly miss u my dear friend. Your family is in my prayers.
Kenneth Murphy, COL, Us Army (Ret) (Murphy)
Nice kid, prayers for her familyDan Malinski
I was deeply saddened to learn today of Geri's passing. I met Geri in grade school, when we both attended St. Thomas the Apostle. She was smart, pretty, fun, and--truth be told--I had a bit of a boyish crush on her. Although we lost contact during junior high years, I was glad when we reconnected a few years later at Camelback. I saw Geri most recently at our 40th class reunion, which included a "mini-reunion" of St. Thomas grads on Friday evening. She was in great spirits and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her and catching up. I last heard from Geri a couple of years ago when she emailed me to reminisce about a 5th grade class we had together. Geri was always thoughtful and kind to me, and never lost that spirit of fun she had when I first met her. My thoughts and prayers will be for the comfort and consolation of Geri's family and loved ones at this most difficult time. Although Geri will be greatly missed by many, including me, I'm confident she brought that spirit of fun with her when she entered Heaven!
Joanne Higgins (Leslie)
My heart breaks for Geri's family and for all who loved her. She was a bright light in our world: so wonderfully positive, friendly, and remarkably resilient. I'm grateful to have known her.
John Wharton
I got to know Geri at our 40th reunion and thereafter. Nice girl, smiles, easy conversation, pretty. I hope to see her again someday. I feel a bit guilty when I think of all that she has gone through and that she still managed a bright, warm smile. Very, very admirable person and people always seem to say nice things about her. Peace Geri. Warm regards and prayers for her family.
Charisse Colbert
Photo Geri's birthday at her home in 2016
“My friends are the beings through whom God loves me.”
― Mark Nepo,
Geri was my friend. I met Geri in 2014 when someone posted on Facebook that a woman who lived in Cave Creek needed a ride to a get together at Aunt Chilada’s. Since I live in Cave Creek, I offered to give her a ride. I picked her up at her beautiful house not knowing she was in a wheelchair. It was everything I could do to get the wheelchair in the trunk of my small car. Not too long after that we started going places together. Quickly I graduated as a driver of her handicapped van. I got to see life from her perspective, and it gave me tremendous respect for her tenacity and courage.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many. The last time I saw her was the day before the first quarantine started in Arizona in 2020. I visited her at the nursing home facility in Scottsdale. She had reached out to me and asked me to come. I am grateful I went that day. I know she was bored to tears in that place. I attempted to give her encouragement. I am not certain, but I think the quarantine and not being able to see her family and friends was the final reckoning for her. She had spent enough time being captive in her body and her soul longed to be free. In the short time I knew her, she was courageous and strong. It gives me tremendous solace to know her soul is free rejoicing in the immortality and reunion with those who have gone before her. God bless her loving and kind soul.
I attended her celebration of life at Highlands Church in Scottsdale in August 2020.
“The treasure of friendship is your richest possession, because it goes with you beyond this life. All the true friends you have made you will meet again in the home of the Father, for real love is never lost.” Paramahansa Yogananda, Divine Romance
Michelle Maceyko (Borkowski)
Geri was always a pleasure to be around. Although she had a horrible accident and was limitied to activies, she continued to have a great positive spirt. I had visited her in her beautiful home and also when she was in the hospital. Glad to have celebrated her birthday with her and our dear friend, Sandi Steele, who is now in heaven with her. Until we meet again... friends for life, from one world to another.