Obituary of Geraldine Cillo

Geraldine A. Cillo (Bersavage), of Mendham, peacefully passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at Morristown Medical Center with her loving family by her side. Geri courageously fought her long battle with pulmonary fibrosis until the very end. She was born in Nanticoke PA and was raised in Sugar Notch PA graduating from St Mary's High School and Mercy Hospital nursing school where she received her RN degree. While working as a surgical recovery nurse at Morristown Memorial Hospital she met her husband Jimmy. They married and raised their four children in Mendham, where she resided until her death. Geri played an active role in her children's lives when they were young, becoming a girls scout leader for her daughters in addition to becoming a den mother for her sons cub scout troop. She was very involved in school activities for her children while they were young and attending St Jospeh's school in Mendham. She was a class room mom, she chaired the hot lunch program, and the annual spaghetti dinner funder raiser with help from the whole Cillo family. She supported and encouraged her husband to go back to college while taking care of the children and household, a task which she is greatly admired for doing. Geri also worked at Holly Manor and Glen Lora nursing facilities where she did her best to provide compassionate and quality care for her patients in addition to being a devoted wife and mother. After her grandchildren were born, she devoted much of her time to being a grandma and truly enjoyed being with her family. Geri also loved to travel with her husband and family and her relatives. She was active in the Mendham senior citizen group and a longtime member of Saint Joseph Church.She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt to her family. Geri was the beloved wife of 53 years of Jimmy Cillo, retired police chief of Mendham Borough Police. She is also survived by her children, Ellen Gallagher of Mendham, Susan Zenick and Tom of Cedar Knolls, Paul Cillo and Gayle of Bridgewater, daughter-in law Janet Cillo of Washington Township, and her brother George Bersavage of Melbourne, FL, and former son-in law Mike Gallagher of Chester. She is also survived by her grandchildren Michael Gallagher Jr of Morristown, Kevin and Brian Gallagher of Chester, Jessica, Justine, and Jillian Cillo of Washington Township, and Anthony Cillo of Bridgewater. She also leaves behind her in-laws Peter Cillo Sr., Theresa and Jack Smith, Rose and Sal Grievo all of Mendham; Anthony and Dolores Cillo of Middlesex, Dr. Joseph Cillo of Chester, Anielo Cillo of Bracy VA, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son James J Cillo Jr, a Harding Township police officer, her parents George and Helen Bersavage and her mother and father-in-law Antonio and Philomena(Fannie) Cillo, her in laws Marie and Peter Penninmpede, Anna and Joseph Fondaco, and Alice Cillo, all of Mendham, Carmella Cillo of Chester, and Casey Cillo of Bracy VA. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-5pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. Funeral Mass Monday 10am at St. Joseph Church, Mendham. Interment Hilltop Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Mendham First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 131, Mendham NJ 7945, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN