Our heartfelt condolences to Geri's family and all who knew and loved her.
Eric and I met Geri 20 years ago when we arrived at Pet Panache with our first Shih Tzu puppy looking for grooming help. In Geri's way, she gently took the pup from us, told us to "go away" and then she worked her magic. We knew we had met a unique person that day. It was the beginning of a long-lasting friendship that evolved into so much more. Geri became part of our family spending holiday celebrations, birthdays, weddings and showers with us and our sons Eric, Austin and daughter-in-law Hannah. The entire family adored her and her beloved sister Joyce. Geri and Joyce were affectionately known as "Godmother" and "Fairy Godmother" respectively to our sons and beloved Shih Tzu dogs, Jack and Stewie. When we and our dogs visited them at their homes in both Cincinnati and Florida, Geri and Joyce always made us feel at home. We would spend hours talking and Joyce would spoil us with her famous muffins. Joyce's passing left a void in Geri's heart that would never be filled. However, Geri battled on in life facing many challenges with help from her dedicated family and many friends. Jeff - you were a true Angel to Geri. Geri was incredibly intelligent, insightful, forthcoming, stubborn and determined. She wanted things the way she wanted things without compromise. We understood Geri and loved her just as she was. She had great love and generosity in her heart. This past Christmas, Geri had no rest until she and her sweet Great Nieces, Katie and Jenny, came to our home and prepared a beautiful Christmas lunch for us. Geri was barely able to physically maneuver, but she was still able to boss us all around until things were exactly as she had envisioned. :-) We will forever remember that day. We will forever hold Geri in our hearts. We will miss her greatly and remember her with much love and gratitude for the wonderful person she was to us and countless others. She was a gift. May Geri rest in eternal peace, pain-free and reunited with her beloved family.
With deepest sympathies,
Eric and Tina Ernst