Geraldine Zifcak Arthur 85, of Cranston passed away peacefully at Kent Hospital on December 28, 2024.

Born in Woonsocket in October of 1939, Gerry was the daughter of the late Nellie (Tomaszewska) Bacon and Anthony P. Zifcak  formerly of Woonsocket, and stepdaughter of Evelyn Zifcak also formerly of Woonsocket. Gerry had lived in various locations in Cranston since the 1970’s.

Gerry is survived by her son Christopher MacGregor (Sonia) of Seattle, Washington, daughter Katherine Arthur of Cranston, stepbrother Marc Zifcak and grandchildren Zoë and Lindsay MacGregor of Seattle.

Gerry graduated from the former St. Charles School in Woonsocket and Woonsocket High School in 1957. She earned a BFA from RISD in 1961 and later a Master of Arts from URI in 1970. She taught art and 5th grade – and particularly loved teaching 5th grade – until pausing her career to focus on raising her children. Her later career included work as an accounting clerk, and eventually a return to teaching as an Adult Education GED instructor prior to her retirement.

Gerry applied her exuberant energy and enthusiasm to many of her interests. A lifelong reader and lover of books (especially mysteries) and words, Gerry was always involved with and supportive of her local libraries, attending book discussion groups for many years, and bringing her young children to story hour as soon as they were old enough. Her two terms on the Cranston Library Board of Trustees included passionate contributions to the design of the current Cranston Public Library Central Branch in 1983.

Along with her delight in the joys of reading, Gerry also passed on to her children and grandchildren her love of board games and card games. Her own particular longtime favorites included Scrabble, which she enjoyed playing at the Cranston Senior Center whenever possible.

Gerry was famously fond of the color orange, and of butterflies of all colors. She remained interested in art, music, polkas, sewing & fabrics, figure skating, and colors throughout her life.

As a lifelong devout Catholic, Gerry sang in the St. Matthew’s church choir for many years in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s and was most recently a parishioner at St. Mary’s.

Visitation will be held on Friday January 10, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday January 11, 2025 at 10:00am in the Holy Apostles Church 800 Pippin Orchard Road Cranston. Burial will be private.