Obituary of Geraldine R. Traphagen

Wayland – Geraldine R. Traphagen, 85 years of age passed away peacefully Monday morning at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Geraldine was born March 5th, 1929 in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (Knopf) Maley. She grew up in Buffalo and resided in different areas throughout her life that included Auburn, Attica, Wallkill and eventually settling in Wayland. She was a 1946 graduate of Wallkill High School and also a graduate of the Community College of the Finger Lakes in Canandaigua, attaining an associate’s degree in business administration. Geraldine and Arthur Traphagen were married December 30th, 1950 in Walden, NY and together have celebrated over 64 years of marriage. Her employment career mostly encompassed the business arena. She worked for Key Bank for many years, retiring as the area vice president along with many years as the corporate secretary of Evans Vending Service. Her hobbies were many as she enjoyed skiing, (Geraldine formed the ski club at St. Joseph’s School), travelling, knitting, cross stitching, cooking for large crowds and entertaining. Geraldine’s volunteer activity was commendable. She was a 50 year member of the Dansville Rotary Club and a Paul Harris fellow Service Award winner and she was active in the Wayland Rotary. Geraldine enjoyed time with the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, the Noyes Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, St. Joseph’s Parish Council, the Diocese of Rochester Council and the NYS Festival of Balloons host committee. Geraldine was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Ruth Maley; her brothers, Charles, Robert and Gerald Maley; and her sister, Patricia Stopen. She is survived by her husband, Arthur Traphagen of Wayland; her children, Mark (Cristina) Traphagen of Washington D.C., Eric (Anita) Traphagen of Wake Forest, NC, Kim Marie LaLonde of Honeoye Falls, and Dirk (Kimberly) Traphagen of Wayland; her grandchildren, Ian and Lara Traphagen, Dillon and Dustin Traphagen, Shane and Tyler LaLonde and Nicole and Sara Traphagen; along with several nieces and nephews. Geraldine’s family and friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland, NY. A prayer service will be offered for Geraldine at 10:30am Thursday at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Church in Wayland. Committal prayers and internment will take place immediately following at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Geraldine R. Traphagen’s memory may be made to Noyes Memorial Hospital, 111 Clara Barton St., Dansville, NY 14437 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Rochester and Finger Lakes Region, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.