Geraldine McMillen Campbell

​Gerri Campbell passed from this life on October 7, 2019. She was born 97 years ago to Thomas W. and Grace M. McMillen of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Gerri graduated from West Chester State Teacher’s College in 1944 and was teaching in Ephrata when mutual friends arranged a blind date with Bill Campbell. They married May 17, 1952. Their long and devoted marriage was blessed with three daughters. 

​When the girls were young, Gerri served as a Girl Scout leader and worked with the children’s education programs at her church. As her daughters grew older, she volunteered with the Aid for Girls program, drove people to appointments for the Red Cross, was a docent at Mercer Museum, and tutored incarcerated young people toward earning their GED. 

Gerri loved to learn. She took full advantage of senior education classes at Center for Learning and Retirement in Doylestown and OSHER at Widener College. She was an avid reader and aficionado of crossword puzzles. She enjoyed attending the Ventures class at Calvary Fellowship Church and reading her daily devotionals. Gerri was a 34-year breast cancer survivor and, along with Bill, supported breast cancer research. Bill & Gerri traveled extensively around America by motorhome beginning in 1967 and continuing into their 80’s. They especially appreciated the beauty of America’s national parks. 

​Gerri is survived by her loving husband, Bill, and their daughters Tomi Fay (Greg) Forbes of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Boni (Scott) Smith of Danville, and Kate (Chris) Brennen of Exton. Their eight grandchildren are Crystal (Brian) Dressler, Brandon (Kasie) Forbes, Daphne Smith (Daniel Rickmers), Forest Smith (Lorie Zagacki), Erik Smith, Chandler (Brianna) Forbes, Kaylyn (Christopher) Marshall and Kyle Brennen. Gerri’s great-grandchildren are Lydia, Joel and Gideon Forbes and Faythe Dressler. She is pre-deceased by her siblings, Tom (Myrtie) McMillen, Bob (Carolyn) McMillen and Gracie (Paige) Hatch. Her nieces are Gail Black and Charlotte Klein of Carlisle, Shari Hatch and Roxanne Knight of San Diego. 

​To know Gerri was to enjoy her gentle temperament, appreciative heart and encouraging warmth. Gerri left her footprints in the heart of all who knew her. 

The family will hold a private service.

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