Geraldine Geis Obituary

Geraldine Patricia Anne Geis (Geri) of Naples, Florida passed away peacefully on September 28, 2023. She was 84 years old and is survived by her daughter Stacey Geis, who resides in Northern California; Stacey's husband Peter; two grandchildren, Hope and Parker; her sister Lindi Dowling and husband Peter; and numerous nieces and nephews who also loved her dearly. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to Henry Ried Dredger and Anne Jansen Dredger, she enjoyed a great upbringing in Regina, Canada with her sisters, Lindi Dowling and Dar Isenhart. She began acting at the age of 6 in numerous local productions and won many awards, including best juvenile actress in Canada at the age of 12. When she was 14, she played the juvenile lead in a CBC film, "The Pony", which was shown in theaters throughout Canada. The film resulted in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London offering her a scholarship but her parents decided she was too young to go abroad. Geri attended the University of British Columbia until her family moved to the United States. Her parents settled in Greenwich, CT. She acted in several local productions, and was spotted by a New York talent agent who asked her to audition with Lillian Gish and Helen Hayes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She was accepted and finished her studies there. After graduation, Geri met Royall Willis Geis, who was also from Greenwich and a fighter pilot for the Marine Corps. They met when she was on a date with one of his friends. A courtship ensued which turned into a 60-year marriage, resulting in their daughter, Stacey; and two grandchildren, Parker and Hope. Geri had a special and unique relationship with each of them, as well as her son-in-law, Peter, whom she adored. Geri continued to pursue acting as a career, working in theater, television, and radio in New York, California, Hawaii, and Virginia, always finding great work wherever Royall's military career took them. Geri's creative talent extended outside of the theater. She was also an incredible artist and began selling her works in the 1980s. She sold eighty-six paintings during her first year, opened a studio that she ran for years in Virginia, and continued painting throughout her life, including beautiful oil paintings she was still making for her family upon request. She was also a licensed pilot, having decided that if Royall could do it, so could she. She was the only woman in her training class and finished first on instrument training. She would fly Royall and Stacey around for day trips to beautiful places throughout California. In the early 1980s, Geri joined the Alexandria Harmonizers, a barbershop chorus where Royall sang, starting as their Stage Advisor and ultimately becoming the Artistic Director. She was the first woman to work with them in that role. For over 20 years, she choreographed their songs, helping them become international champions on four occasions. She helped them perform at Carnegie Hall, Wolf Trap, the Kennedy Center, and the Supreme Court, as well as performing for such luminaries as Ray Charles, Perry Como and several U. S. Presidents. She loved every moment of teaching the men how to sing from their heart, not their mind, and incorporating movement and dance that helped convey the meaning of a song to the audience. Over the years, she took her talents to other choruses throughout the U. S. and Europe. Earlier this month, the Harmonizers celebrated their 75th Anniversary in D. C. Geri attended and they did a beautiful tribute to her, calling her the "matriarch" of the Harmonizers, a title she cherished. Royall and Geri moved to Naples, Florida in 2015 and never looked back, enjoying the warm weather, making amazing new friends, and continuing to travel abroad up until 2020 when Royall's health made it too challenging. Geri embraced life to the fullest. She was fearless, bold, and strong in her pursuit of what she wanted, even when others thought it was not her place or time. From her sense of style, which was fabulous and often ahead of the trends, to her career choices, personal beliefs, and lifestyle, she was often ahead of her time. She instilled in her daughter a voice at an early age and the confidence to pursue one's dreams, despite the obstacles, something she also passed on to her grandchildren. She had enduring friendships that lasted decades, and even those that started only years ago in Naples were special, deep, and real. She was strong to the end, even when her breast cancer came back in 2021. When she had the energy, she made sure to go out and see her friends or invite them over for her beloved cocktail hour out on her beautiful veranda. Last but not least, she loved Royall deeply in their 60 years together and missed him acutely since he passed away nine months ago. While her passing is too soon, there is comfort in knowing she is now with him. Like Royall, she will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. A Memorial Service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a charitable donation to the newly founded youth barbershop chorus at Harmonizers. org by clicking here.