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Geraldine Commons, 1919-2015
Mrs. Commons was the mother of our friends David, Leslie ('62), Stanley ('67) and Spencer ('69).

 

Geraldine Commons


Feb. 12, 1919 - March 23, 2015
Modesto Native and Resident of Bay Area

Gerry B. Commons, native of Modesto California and long-time Orange County and Bay Area resident passed away peacefully of natural causes on Monday, March 23rd, 2015 at the age of 96.

Gerry and her late husband, Dorman L. Commons, were deeply involved in progressive politics and numerous community organizations. Dorman served on the Democratic National Committee, the California State Board of Education, and spearheaded the campaign for Wilson Riles, the first African-American Superintendent of Instruction in the State of California. Gerry served on the Orange County Planning Commission and the Orange County Grand Jury for many years.

She was also a passionate supporter of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. In addition to her numerous civic and cultural activities, Gerry was a prolific poet. Gerry's passing will be a great loss to her family as well as the communities she served for so many decades.

Gerry was born Geraldine Eugenia Stefania Barnett on February 12th 1919 in Modesto, California. Her parents were Stefania Mary Janowska Barnett, born in Poland in 1898, and Leo Raymond (Vincent Torrance) Barnett, born in Kansas in 1887. Gerry and Dorman were married at the Stanford Chapel in 1941.


Gerry's two sisters, Evelyn (Shay) Marie Barnett and Beverlee Barnett (also born on February 12th 8 years after Gerry) are no longer living.

In her later years, Gerry lived with increasingly severe dementia, and the family wishes to express its profound gratitude for the loving care provided by Gerry's caregiver, Ilisianne Feao.

Gerry is survived by her four children, David Brian Commons and his wife Julia, Leslie Commons Carabas and her husband Robert, Stanley Barnett Commons and his wife Victoria, and Spencer Charles Commons and his wife Martha Gates. Gerry is survived by 13 grandchildren – Peter, Michael, Daniel and Ben Commons; Themios Carabas and Stephanie Carabas Rose; Susan, John and Christopher Leahy and Jacob Commons; and Rachel, Walter and Jeffrey Commons. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren – Brennan and Sabrina Commons; Tristan, Elora and Serena Commons; Dahlia and Merlin Commons; Alexos, Elena and Dorian Carabas; Amelia Rose; Joni Grace and David Leahy; and Dylan and Owen Leahy.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Mar. 28, 2015 - 

 

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Anne Bomke Ward '63 on March 28, 2015 at 11:25 PM said:

I, too, have lovely memories of Mrs. Commons. I remember her as a vital and very intelligent woman who contributed much to our community. Best wishes to you "kids"!
Leslie Hoag Hope, '62 on March 28, 2015 at 11:08 AM said:

Gerry was always kind as well as being smart and engaging. I remember her fondly. She was the organizing force behind the Senior Seminar at SHHS and was always very supportive of Leslie and her friends. She stayed in touch through the years until Dorman's death and her illness. In fact I was thinking about her the other day. RIP Gerry.

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