Geraldine "Gerry" H. Elthorp

FRANKFORT – Geraldine “Gerry” H. Elthorp, of Frankfort, formerly of Schuyler, passed away very unexpectedly, of natural causes, on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital, with her loving family by her side.

Gerry was born in Utica, the daughter of Oliver Wendell Gonyea and Eva P. (Rapavi) Gonyea. She graduated from Whitesboro High School, in 1967, and St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing, in 1975. At one time, she was married to Peter Kravec. Gerry later married Richard “Dick” Elthorp, on October 11, 1997, at the Universalist Church, in New Hartford. She was employed as a nurse, at Herkimer Hospital, Mohawk Valley General Hospital, Ilion, St. Luke’s, Mohawk Valley, Ilion and St. Luke’s Medical Office, Herkimer. In her early years, Gerry was a leader of the Jolly Juniors 4H Club and later a Board Member of Movac and a Licensed HAM Operator. She was also a member of the Center State SAMS.

In 2009, Gerry became President of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs and has remained an active member of the Association.

Gerry received a Special Appreciation Plaque and several citations and proclamations from the N.Y.S. Assembly and N.Y.S. Senate, on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at the opening ceremonies, at the Herkimer County Fair, for her 50 years of service and dedication to the fair. The awards stated that she served as a Volunteer Director of the Herkimer County Fair Association, for the past 50 years and Treasurer for the past 30 years, over which time she has made significant contributions to the Fair Community and her steadfast dedication to the Herkimer County Fair Association has positively impacted the broader community and frequently attended rallies and legislative meetings in Albany for fair related issues. Her steadfast dedication to the Herkimer County Fair Association has positively impacted the broader community, providing family fun traditions with events and activities at the Herkimer County Fair that focus on Agricultural and food production education.

Surviving family members include her daughter, Patti Anne Coffin and her husband, Adam and her brother, Pete Kravec; her stepchildren, Richard Elthorp, Jr., Jeffrey Elthorp, Danielle Geter and Chad Elthorp; her grandchildren, Michael and Zachary Mahl, Samantha Kimball and Brandon Schaffer; and the Elthorp grandchildren; her great-grandchildren, Fae and Colton; and the Elthorp great-grandchildren; her sisters, Judy Applegate and her husband, Don, Pauline Bunce, Mary Allen and her husband, Dave, and Laurie White and her husband, Jim; her brother, David King and Pat Reinhardt; 2 aunts, Pauline Stemmer and Charlotte Shumway and her husband, Tom; her several nieces; nephews; great-nieces; great-nephews; and cousins; 3 Godchildren; her best friend, Bonnie Cool; her good friend, John Kravec; her many other friends, including Herkimer County Fair Directors and Volunteers; and her adopted companion, Honeybun.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s larger facility, at 4309 Acme Road (old main street) between Ilion and Frankfort. Immediately following visitation, there will be a Celebration of Gerry’s Life, officiated by her brother-in-law and Funeral Director, Don Applegate. A Traditional Catholic Funeral Home Service will then be conducted by Rev. Deacon Richard Prusko, at the funeral home.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Gerry, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com

The family wishes to thank the Attending E.R. Physician, Dr. Callie Marona, for her compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Herkimer County Fair Association (for the Gerry and Dick Elthorp Scholarship), c/o Patti Anne Coffin, P.O. Box 4, Frankfort, NY 13340, or, (her favorite Veterans Organization), VAMC, Albany-Stratford, GPF 1328 Adaptive Sports, attention Volunteer Services, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home.