Obituary of Geraldine Casey Strong

Geraldine (Geri) Casey Strong, age 84, passed peacefully through the veil after fulfilling a life of service to her family, others, and to the organizations she cared about on May 12, 2016 incident to age. She was born 22 August 1931 at the Crane Maternity Home on South University Ave., Provo, Utah to Patrick Glenn Casey and Mildred Allred Casey. They were later divorced. Geri and her sister, Pat, were raised in Tooele, UT by their mother and step-father, John Raymond Mercer with his sons Wayne and Burnell. The family was completed by the arrival of a brother, David John Mercer. She was educated in Tooele schools, participated in various activities including music, dramatics and Pep Club; graduating with the Tooele High School class of 1949. She attended Brigham Young University for one year, serving at the same time as caregiver for her Grandfather Allred. She married Dallas C. Strong, American Fork, UT on 13 October 1950 in Tooele. They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in September 1951. They became the parents of four children: Dalene, Ray, Paul and Kathleen. The newlyweds made their first home in Provo for 5 years, later moving to American Fork where they made they home in Yale Circle; residing in the same house for 54 years. They moved to the Belle Monet Condos in Pleasant Grove in 2006 where they have since resided. Geri retired from Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, having served for 12 years as a unit secretary. Since that time, she has served many years in a number of capacities as a volunteer at the American Fork Hospital. She was a caring, nurturing mother, encouraging her children to participate in school, church and community activities and was very proud of their adult accomplishments. Family gatherings were enhanced by Geri’s talents as a “World Class” candy maker and baker. Friends, family and neighbors were often cheered by her generous gifts of homemade candy and baked goods. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in MIA, Primary and other auxiliaries. Her favorite calling was a seven year mission as Member Locator at Mission Headquarters in the Alpine Tabernacle. She was a lifetime learner, having been enrolled in institute classes and Education Week from the time she was a student at BYU, until her death. Geri was blessed with a great capacity for making and maintaining friendships. She attended regular luncheon meetings with the “lunch bunch” from her graduating class. She also enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, her neighbors and longtime friends. She had a beautiful singing voice and began performing with quartets and groups in grade school. She was a member of the American Fork Civic Chorus, ward and stake choirs as an adult, once performing in the Tabernacle at Temple Square. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Patricia (Pat) Casey Thompson and brothers Wayne Mercer and Burnell Mercer. She is survived by her husband, Dallas, Pleasant Grove; her children: Dalene (John) Scott, Dallas Ray (Debbie) Strong, Paul J (Shauna) Strong, Kathleen (Steve) Judd, brother, David John Mercer of Lincoln, NE; 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; all of whom will miss her greatly. Memorial service and a celebration of Geri’s life will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Grove 2nd Ward, 2433 West 450 South, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Friends may meet with the family at a viewing Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and on Thursday at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Alpine City Cemetery under the direction of Anderson & Sons Mortuary.