Jerry Armstrong

With the fourth anniversary of her husband’s passing on the horizon, Jerry Armstrong started conversations in past weeks with her family letting us know she was ready to “go look for your Dad.” Passing away at the age of 81 this past Sunday, Jerry’s cause of death would be most appropriately described as, “She was ready to go.”

Jerry loved her family, their mates and their many friends. You were always welcomed in for a chat and a homemade cookie, which she always kept stocked in a special tin on the kitchen counter. Jerry loved to cook and bake, and sharing it with anyone who stopped by for a visit made her even happier. Many of her children’s friends considered her a second Mom and confidant.

Jerry worked at Fassett Jr. High in the cafeteria for 18 years. Here she was able to combine the two things she enjoyed most: cooking and interacting with kids. She was left with many fond memories of co-workers who remained good friends and also running into students, who remembered her even after many years.

Jerry always nurtured and encouraged her children and grandchildren to continue learning and pursue schooling that would allow them to choose a career that would give them life-long enjoyment, purpose, and fulfillment. Her family is a true testament to her desire of which she was very proud.

As her grandchildren grew it was almost a “rite of passage,” when after a hug, you would stand next to her and be able to say, “Grandma, I’m taller than you now!” That has even extended now, to many great-grandchildren, much to her “pretend” dismay.

In their 60 years together Jerry and Bob were fortunate to be able to travel and vacation with their children many summers camping at State Parks and later, hopping on their motorcycle and taking off, eventually laying claim to seeing all 50 states. Their last 23 winters together were spent in Florida, enjoying friends, playing cards, and always happy to share their warm weather with visitors from Ohio. Jerry always remarked how lucky she felt that she and Bob got the chance to travel and do all that they ever wanted while they were still young enough to enjoy it.

Besides her husband, Jerry was preceded in death by her brother Burt Badenhop, whom she shared a remarkable and exceptional friendship with enjoying his weekly visits until his passing.

Surviving Jerry are her children, Kris, Mike (Laura) and Rob (Susan) grandchildren, Rachel (Mike), Cari (Ben), Ken (Sarah), Bill (Stephanie), Brad (Caitlin), Chris (Sarah) and Gwen; great-grandchildren, Vince, Lily, Ella, Nick, Mia, Sam, Jonathan, Alyssa, Kylie, Jake, Luke, Otis, Gloria and a young man arriving in eight weeks.

Family services will be private. Memorial donations are suggested to Faith United Methodist Church, 3415 Starr Avenue, Oregon, Ohio 43616 or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551.

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