Geraldine (Gerri) Santonocito, 74, of Southbury, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2014 after a short illness. She was the devoted wife of former Southbury First Selectman Joseph A. Santonocito.

Gerri was born in Astoria, New York on February 12, 1940 to parents Catherine M. (Fogarty) and Anthony J. DeFelice.

She moved to Danbury in 1948 and graduated from Danbury High School in 1957. She then attended St. Vincent School of Nursing. She dedicated herself to a lifelong career in patient care until her retirement in 2013. She worked at Danbury Hospital and various long care facilities such as Glencove Pavilion, Mediplex of Danbury and River Glen Nursing Home in Southbury.

Gerri will always be remembered as a good-natured, spiritual woman who enjoyed caring for others, including her many beloved pets throughout her life. She enjoyed shopping for antiques, vacationing on Martha's Vineyard and quilting. She also delighted in gourmet cooking and fine wine. Her happiest moments were shared with her loving husband, Joe of 38 years and co-parenting their beloved and spoiled Bichon-Frise, Samee.

Gerri is survived by a son, Edward Archer of Bethel and a daughter, Christine Archer Ring of Bethel; two granddaughters and a grandson and various nieces and nephews; sisters Dolores McKenna of Three Forks, Montana and Christine Wicks of Phoenix, Arizona and a brother Joseph DeFelice of Canyon Lake, Texas. She is predeceased by her parents, Catherine and Anthony DeFelice, and husband Joseph Santonocito.
Her family is extremely grateful for the excellent health care Gerri received from her "family" of nurses at River Glen Nursing Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society 825 Brook St. I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Woodbury

Services: A memorial service will be held on Thursday May 15th at 11am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodbury. Burial will be private.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.