Obituary of Linda E. Gereg

Linda E. Gereg September 08, 1942 - August 13, 2010 Linda E. Gereg of Brookfield, beloved wife of John J. Gereg III, passed away quietly at her home on Friday, August 13th, surrounded by family, after a long struggle with cancer. She was the middle of five children born on September 8, 1942, to the late Oscar and Julia Anderson. She was a graduate of Washington High School in 1960, and was married the same year. She moved to Danbury with John and spent time raising her two sons until she moved to the Walker estate in Brookfield in 1968. In 1985 John and Linda moved to a house they had purchased in Brookfield some years before. She began bowling in the early 1960's and met many of her lifetime friends including Emma Pangia. As a result of her tremendous accomplishments in the sport, she was inducted into the Danbury Bowling Hall of Fame in April of 2010. Linda's work career included more than 8 years at Davis and Geck, and more than 15 years at Diba Industries Inc. in Danbury. She made many great friends at these two companies and talked of her co-workers as though they were family. Linda was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. After her diagnosis, she continued to work at Diba, bowl, and do the things she loved until her physical condition limited her abilities. During her battle with cancer she was able to travel to Europe, Alaska, Florida, Las Vegas, and Oregon to see her daughter. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son John Gereg IV, daughter Lisa Gereg and her partner Timothy Edwards, four grandchildren John V, Michael, Anthony, and Nicole, and her godson John David. She is also survived by her sisters Betty Hinckley, Karen Trowbridge, and Susan Quartiero, her brother James Anderson, sisters-in-law Fran Anderson and Pat Novicky, and brother in law Robert Hinckley. She had many beloved nieces and nephews, and several children within the extended family that called her Grandma Linda. She was predeceased by her son Ronald Gereg. Her strength, courage, and determination in the face of tremendous adversity were an inspiration to everyone around her. She fought an amazing battle for six years by refusing to give up and continually maintaining a positive attitude. Linda will be more than missed by all of her family and friends. She had an extraordinarily generous and caring nature and was selfless with her time and attention. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel as though they were part of the family as soon as they entered her home. When living at the Walker estate, she adopted the family as though they were an extension of her own, and she continued to do this throughout her life with others. Linda loved her flowers and adored all animals but especially her dogs, cats, and birds. She was an avid fan of the UCONN Huskies basketball team. She was an amazing baker and cook, and generously shared her talents. She had a sharp wit, fun sense of humor, and an excellent memory. She sent a card for every occasion, and never forgot someone's birthday. She had a way of making everyone else feel special while remaining modest about her own wonderful qualities. Her memory will live on in all that knew her as a light within us, and she will continue to be an inspiration to us for how to live our own lives. Funeral Information A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 21st at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in Central Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the Brookfield Funeral Home at 786 Federal Rd., Brookfield from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday August 20th. The family will receive relatives and friends at the family home on Saturday August 21st following the burial. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice of Western CT 405 Main Street Danbury, CT 06810 or the Animal Welfare Society Inc, 8 Dodd Road, New Milford, Ct. 06776.