Geraldine Anne Thalen
September 10, 1954 ~ April 1, 2021
Born in:
Brooklyn, NY
Resided in:
Rocky Point, NY
Geraldine Anne Thalen (Gerry) of Rocky Point, N.Y. passed peacefully on April 1, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert Thalen, loving mother of Julia Giani and her husband Joseph and Katie Agoglia and her husband Sam, and cherished grandmother of Joseph O. Giani. Gerry was the dear sister of Roger Podd, Richard Podd, Kevin Podd, Patrice Garrison, Juliana Podd, and Janis Chamberlain.
A devoted mother, sister, friend, and educator, Gerry will forever be remembered for her strength, wisdom, humility, compassion, and wit, along with her ability to perfectly capture a moment with a quote or line from classic literature. Gerry dedicated her life to her two daughters and to enriching the lives of her students at Mount Sinai High School and Suffolk County Community College. She cared tirelessly and selflessly for her family and found the greatest pleasure in seeing her daughters happy.
Gerry will be loved forever by her daughters, Julia and Katie, her brothers and sisters, and her many dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Frances Podd.
As a high school English teacher and professor of English and Literature, Gerry was passionate about great writing and about educating others. She especially loved the works of Shakespeare, Kurt Vonnegut, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. In Gerry’s honor, please take a moment to enjoy these words from two of her favorite authors, and if you feel so inclined, pick up a book and immerse yourself in some great literature for her.
This above all: to thine own self be true.
William Shakespeare, Hamlet
A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.
Kurt Vonnegut, The Sirens of Titan
Gerry’s family has established an annual scholarship for Mount Sinai High School students. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers to the Geraldine Thalen Memorial Trust, you may do so using the information below:
Make check payable to: National Philanthropic Trust
Include on check memo: Geraldine Thalen Memorial Trust / 115986
Checks may be brought to the services at Branch Funeral Home, or mailed to:
National Philanthropic Trust
165 Township Line Road, Suite 1200
Jenkintown, PA 19046
or
Katie Agoglia
27 Beech Road
Rocky Point, NY 11778
Services
Visitation: April 11, 2021 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place
551 Route 25A
MILLER PLACE, NY 11764
Second Visitation: April 11, 2021 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place
551 Route 25A
MILLER PLACE, NY 11764
Service: April 12, 2021 10:30 am
Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place
551 Route 25A
MILLER PLACE, NY 11764
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Leo Mund
I’m so sorry to read this. I have so many great memories of Gerry from our college adventures. Sending prayers your way
My deepest condolences. May your beloved mom rest peacefully in Heaven.
My deepest condolences to both Julia and Katie, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Julia Manuto
Siblings my cousins , I am so saddened by this news , sending love and prayers to all . Wish all of us would spend more time together. Thankful for the childhood memories. Peace and love to all and may we have comfort by having faith in heaven above .
It was an honor to know her and spend multiple holidays with her. She always wanted to make sure I was comfortable and not left out. She had a beautiful soul.
Sending love and strength.
So very sorry. I met Gerry at Suffolk Community and then again at SUNY Oswego. Lucky me!
Smart, tough, pretty, and yes, a beautiful soft side. I will miss her.
My condolences to Julia, Katie and her entire family.