Gerry grew up in Gonzales CA until she was 7 years old and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Walsenburg, CO in 1960. Geraldine promptly returned to CA, she earned an AA at Monterey Peninsula College and later a BA at Hartnell Community College. She met and married the love of her life Mac Coronado and was married for more than 52 years, they had four children. Gerry lovingly cared for her family at home for the first 13 years of her marriage; working on occasion in the packing sheds; when Mac was home due to Firestone being on strike.

Her main focus in life was always God and her family. She attended church regularly at St. Mary's of the Nativity while her children were small, later attending Sacred Heart with her mom Ruby, best friend Margie, and cousin Sally. She was a member of Martha's Helpers and the Legion of Mary. 

Gerry had several skills and hobbies such as being a great cook, sewing, and creating arts and crafts however, her favorite was crocheting. Gerry could be found crocheting while watching TV, chit chatting and having a cup of coffee at all hours of the day or night. She used to say it was her stress reliever and made many beautiful things over the years. She said it was an art form she lovingly learned from her Grandmas Refugia "Cuca" Castillo and Rosita Romero. Some of her creations can still be seen around Salinas, in the form of "Buckaroos" that Mac sold throughout the county; they were even featured in the Salinas Californian. All of her kids and grandchildren have something to keep their "noggins" warm, her funny name for brain.

Gerry was a Girl Scout leader for her girls, assistant manager for her son's baseball team, and she and Mac ran the snack bar at the American League ball park for several years while their children played. She volunteered in all of her children's classrooms and encouraged each of them to reach for the stars, there was never a limit to her love. She attended all of her babies' (children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren) school activities, sports events and made sure they all had something to eat; "to keep their minds and bodies fit and ready to play." Gerry always had an open door policy and her kitchen was always open for a cup of coffee, chit chat and something to eat. Her children and grandchildren often came home to find their friends visiting with Mom-Nana, doling out her spit fire advise or teaching them to make tortillas or crochet. Gerry always had an opinion and would let you know what is was, no holds barred.

Gerry went to work with the Alisal Union High School District as a Teacher's Assistant and used to say this is the kind of "outside my home" job she was meant to have. She originally worked with Mr. Jim Menendez, whom she adored at Alisal Elementary, and later retired from Frank Paul Elementary while working with Ms. Tina Englund. She was well known at the school for her annual school fundraising Hershey kiss rose buds and unpainted plaster-of-paris molds. Gerry loved when former students would come to visit her at the school or when she would run into them around town and they would call her "Teacher Gerry." Gerry often came home with stories of the silly things "her kids' did at school. She loved knowing she may have helped shape their futures.

Gerry's life was full and happy and she always said she had no regrets. Later when Gerry became ill and spent the last remaining few years at Windsor Gardens Rehab Center on Romie Lane, although she couldn't communicate verbally, she still managed to touch several people's lives. When Mac would enter the room and Geraldine heard his voice and/or saw his face; her whole face would light up with joy and her beautiful green eyes sparkled; she knew her Mac Honey was there. Gerry would hold Mac's hand and lean her head towards him so Dad could give her a kissy. They had their own special way of silently communicating their love to each. Our Family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff at Windsor for the love and care you provided to our Mom during her stay.

Geraldine is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Mac Coronado; daughters, Gigi (Pete) Ortiz, Maxine (Mark) Aguilar and Rose Coronado; son, James (Danielle) Coronado; sister-in-law, Betty Romero; brother-in-laws, Joe Arviso, Ray Nunez and John Scarpello; grandchildren, Regina (Jorge) Santa Cruz, Anthony (Chauntal) Garcia, J.R. (Connie) Martinez III, Lucy Coronado, Joseph (Victoria) Matthew, and Erica and Andy Coronado; great-grandchildren, Jorge Jr., Diamond and Jeremiah Santa Cruz, Jordan and Janelle Martinez, Arieah, Cali, Denise and Matthew Coronado, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruby Andante; brother, Carlo Romero, and sister, Linda Vargas.