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Kathryn Evans Gerecke
Kathryn Evans Gerecke of Sag Harbor died on November 27 after a long and courageous battle with Addison’s disease and heart disease. She was 96.
She was born on May 13, 1926, to Frank and Ann Gerecke of Sag Harbor. She was educated at St. Andrew’s School and the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Sag Harbor. After graduating from the Academy, she entered the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II and trained at Mary Immaculate Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1946. She later received her BS in Nursing from St. John’s University.
After graduating from Mary Immaculate, she worked at both Kings County Hospital and Queens General Hospital before returning to Sag Harbor to become a public health nurse for Suffolk County. She later joined the pediatrics unit at Southampton Hospital, where she spent the rest of her career. She retired as head nurse of pediatrics in 1986.
She was a deeply religious woman, attending daily Mass at St. Andrew’s Church and serving as a trustee, lector and Eucharistic minister. She served on the Parish Council and on numerous committees, including finance and building. She was a member of the Altar Society, the Columbiettes and a founding member of the Rosary Group. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She served the community, driving many friends and acquaintances to appointments and errands, from the grocery to the doctor or to the airport.
She was predeceased by her brother Frank and his wife Lorraine; and by her cousin Kay Schwestka and her husband John.
She is survived by her brother George Gerecke and his sons Daniel Gerecke of Williston, Vermont, and David Gerecke of Tempe, Arizona, and daughter Kathryn Reed and husband Doug of Williston, Vermont, and their children Keely, Morgan and Brayden. She is also survived by Frank’s children, Thomas Gerecke and wife Kathleen of Peabody, Massachusetts, and Charleston, South Carolina, Mark Gerecke and wife Alexis of Reston, Virginia, and Paul Gerecke of Sag Harbor. Finally, she leaves her godson and friend Ralph Tedesco and wife Lauren of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and their family. She was very close to Tedesco and often referred to him as the son she never had.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor on Saturday, December 10, followed by internment at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation or to Cormaria Retreat House in Sag Harbor.
Staff Writer on Dec 12, 2022