Geraldine Berger

Geraldine “Gerry” Barbara Berger, 70, died peacefully at her daughter’s home, on January 23, 2021, after a valiant battle with leukemia. Gerry was born on October 22, 1950, and was adopted by Agatha “Connie” Berger and Francis “Frank” Berger of Chicago, Illinois. As a child, Gerry excelled in school and continued to value learning as academic scholar, lover of the arts, and worldwide traveler with friends and her husband Cliff Johnson, who preceded her in death. After earning her undergraduate degree in History, from St. Xavier University, Gerry taught history and Urban Experience, a Chicago immersion course she co-designed for her alma mater, Queen of Peace HS. After taking a few classes at the University of Chicago, Gerry decided to pursue graduate studies and attended night school at Kent Law School while teaching full time at Leo High School. Not a small task while she was also raising two children, John and Gretchen. Gerry obtained her law license in both Colorado and Illinois, in 1992. She took pride in building a successful legal practice as a sole-practitioner, and she specialized in Family Law. Certified in Mediation, Gerry was also appointed as a Child Representative for the State of Illinois and made children’s welfare the center of her practice. At the center of her life were her children and grandchildren. Grandma Gerry, nicknamed “GG,” was devoted to her four grandchildren: Emily, Scarlett, Abby and Emilio. Following a devastating diagnosis of leukemia on June 26, 2018, Gerry retired, after almost 30 years of practicing law, to work full-time at beating the odds. She succeeded at getting her life back for one short year before the disease returned, and she didn’t waste a minute of it, pursuing the things she loved----time with the grandkids, travel, theater, gardening, birding, book discussions, dining and race-walking with her dear friends. She even took up tap dancing! Gerry is survived by her daughter Gretchen, son John, son-in-law Ildefonso, daughter-in-law Heather, former spouse and father of her children, John Mau. To celebrate her life, a tree-planting ceremony for family and friends will be held in Gretchen and Ildefonso’s backyard (5953 N. Nina Ave., Chicago) on June 27, 2021, from 12-4 pm. All are most welcome. (Funeral arrangements made by Friel Funeral Directors)