Jerilyn “Jeri” Smith Gormley was a wonderful wife, mother,
grandmother, neighbor and friend. She was interested in people, in
what they had to say, how they lived, and in how she could help.
Jeri worked hard to do her best in everything. For example, she tried
hard to please her dad. Jeri’s father had no sons but was fortunate to
have his daughter, Jeri, who accompanied him on many camping
trips, loved the outdoors, and hiking in the mountains near Medford,
Oregon where she grew up. Jeri’s father was a hunter and member
of the Medford Rifle Club. When Jeri was 8 years old, her father
taught her how to shoot a 0.22 rifle at the Club shooting range. Jeri
was quick to learn and by age 10 won medals as the club’s
champion child target shooter.
Teaching 4th graders was Jeri’s favorite. She encouraged the children
to learn, be considerate of each other, and be all they could. One of
her best stories was when you insult someone, it is like pounding a
nail into a shingle. When you say I am sorry, you take the nail out, but
the hole is still there.
Jeri enjoyed traveling, visiting people and new places, and becoming
good friends. At Oregon State University, she took the spring quarter
at a university in Mexico City. She learned how people lived and the
problems of poverty. After graduating from college, Jeri drove her
VW Beetle all around Europe with her friend Nancy. This trip inspired
her love to travel and to teach in Europe at a Department of Defense
school in Frankfurt, Germany. While there, she met her future
husband, Kevin Gormley, and continued her travels in her white, hot,
Porsche!
Over the years, Jeri and Kevin traveled to all 50 states, 36 state
capitals, many National Parks, and foreign countries with Hawaii,
Germany, and Australia being her favorites.
Jeri loved trips, but she was the happiest when at home with her
family. The holidays were special. She hosted Thanksgiving,
Christmas and Easter dinners with family including her sons Robert
and Kevin, wives Kari and Maureen, grandchildren William and
Kathleen, nieces Janet Hamlin and Sandra Pfeil, and friends.
Wherever she was, Jeri made lasting friendships with her co-workers
and neighbors: the Frankfurt teachers, the Alexandria, VA teachers,
the Winston Knolls neighbors and the South Run water aerobics
group. Jeri was an avid bridge player, and her Leewood Forst Bridge
Club met for over 50 years.
Jeri was happy, enthusiastic and personality plus. She listened to
people, was a good friend, and uplifted people. She was there to
help!
We will all miss her.