Geraldine "Gerry" Velma (Coughenour) Fair

Humble & Kind Mother

Geraldine “Gerry” Velma Fair, 83, matriarch of the Fair Family and picturesque farm along Allegheny Road near Manns Choice, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, December 10, 2020 at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was born February 16, 1937, the daughter of Harry and Alma (Bohn) Coughenour at the old Tipton place near her childhood home in Madley Hollow, Juniata Township. She was preceded in death by her Husband Ralph of 63 years, May 18th of this year; brothers Earl (Dottie), Chester (Janet) and sister Minnie Crissey (Fred).

She was the last survivor of her family.  She and Ralph raised their six surviving children on their farm, John married to Kay Burkett, Thomas, Richard married to Doris Adong, Barbara wife of Randy Hillegass, Bonnie wife of Eddy Waugerman, and Robert married to Clarissa Costa. She is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Gerry cherished being with her family and looked forward to weekly Sunday evening suppers with her family. These suppers will never be the same. She enjoyed gardening, planting & nurturing her many flowers. She was a remarkable cook and taught her daughters how to “can” and “put up” nearly every vegetable from the family garden. Her every meal was prepared with special care and motherly love. She was no stranger to hard work and a humble & kind, sweet lady who enjoyed visiting with others and built many friendships over her lifetime.

In the early years of her marriage she and Ralph had hundreds of chickens and sold eggs. She worked hard to gather, wash, package and sell eggs while raising six children. In more recent years her and Ralph established Fair Family Farms LLC an entity which is comprised of their Organic Dairy and extensive chicken egg production operations. She taught Sunday School at the former St. Marks United Church of Christ in New Buena Vista of which she was a member.  She faithfully attended worship at the Manns Choice United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and enjoyed listening to her daughters play the piano and organ.

She was a collector of antique dishes & glassware and liked watching the Antiques Roadshow, Mollie B and Family Worship Center music program. A favorite of hers was listening to Gospel music, especially Alan Jackson. Gerry enjoyed long rides down country roads, seeing new sites, and sitting on the front porch in the summer evenings. She and her husband traveled to many destinations from coast to coast, including Alaska, California, Texas, North Dakota, Florida, the mid-west and Maine.  Their foreign destinations included Australia, Mexico, Prince Edward Island and a cruise on the Queen Mary II from London to New York, to name a few.

She will be greatly missed by her family and those touched and blessed by her life, especially her best friend, her Bichon “Lincoln”.

Her family tagline, “Loads of Love”.

A Private Funeral Service will be held with Pastor James Golla officiating.

Interment at Schellsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made for Geraldine V. Fair to the Manns Choice United Methodist Church, c/o Lisa Hillegass, 668 Watson St, Bedford PA  15522.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneral.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Mickle-Geisel Funeral Home, Schellsburg.