Geraldine Louise Fowler Bishop, lover of nature and family

Gerry Bishop of Jeffersonville, VT, passed away on February 8th, 2026.

She was born on December 2, 1924, in Big Rapids, Michigan, to Walter and Alice Fowler, a middle child of the large family of 11 children. She was the last Fowler child still living. She achieved her goal of living to 101 years old.

She is survived by her children Richard Bishop Jr. and his wife Gail of Montana, Malcolm Bishop of Arizona, Brian Bishop and his wife Betsy of Montpelier, Linda Keeler and her husband Charles of Florida, Ross Bishop and his wife Bongi of Washington state, and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Richard and her son Bruce.

Dick and Gerry’s love story started when she was encouraged to write letters to US soldiers serving in World War II. She and Dick fell in love through their correspondence, and after her graduation, she took a train to Salina, Kansas, where they married on October 13th, 1943, while he was on a 48-hour leave before his next deployment. He was a Prisoner of War after he was shot down over Japan, and he eventually returned to Gerry in Michigan to raise their family in a log cabin built by Dick. They moved to Vermont in 1969, purchasing the log cabin on Upper Pleasant Valley Road that would be their homestead for many decades.

While much of her time was dedicated to raising her children, who were born over a span of 22 years, she also found time to volunteer for the Varnum Memorial Library, the Second Congressional Church, and the Copley Hospital auxiliary. In her 50’s, she began working for Harwal, an innovative company in Jeffersonville owned by two women, who became lifelong friends.

A private memorial service will be held in the spring with family at the Jeffersonville Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Guare & Sons in Montpelier.