Geraldine Deninger – 85 – formerly of Brooklyn, NY, died Thursday (February 18, 2016) at Hornell Gardens, where she had resided for the past two months.

Born in Hornell on January 3, 1931, Geraldine was the daughter of Jack and Helen Kerr.

Geraldine spent her early years in Hornell and graduated from Hornell High School. She moved to Brooklyn a few years after high school and lived there her entire adult life. Geraldine was a Teacher Aide at PS 34 in Brooklyn.

On June 13, 1956, Geraldine married William Deninger, and together they raised six children. Always playing an active role in her children’s activities, Geraldine was the first woman Little League coach in her neighborhood of Greenpoint.

Geraldine loved cats, and it wasn’t unusual for her to be caring for 20-30 stray cats in the neighborhood at any given time. She even had her son build a shed so the cats had shelter. Geraldine also enjoyed trips to Atlantic City.

In addition to her husband, William, Geraldine was preceded in death by her son, Wesley, who was killed in Vietnam in March of 1969; and one brother, Jack Kerr.

Geraldine is survived by one son, William Deninger of Hornell, NY; four daughters, Gail Cortez of Brooklyn, NY, Allison Witkowski of Brooklyn, NY, Susan (Wilfrido) Landaira of Wappingers Falls, NY, and Paula Deninger of Carmel, NY; 10 grandchildren, William Deninger, Jonathan Cortez, Gregory (Maureen) Witkowski, Walter (Magda) Witkowski, Michelle (Junior) Amezquita, Wilfrido Landaira, Emily Landaira, Noah Landaira, George Davila, & Marc Davila; 5 great-grandchildren, Abigail & Alison Witkowski, Ben & Austin Witkowski, and Amelia Amezquita; sister-in-law, Helen Kerr.

Funeral services will be held in Brooklyn, NY. Geraldine’s family requests that memorial contributions in her name be made to any local ASPCA or the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Funeral arrangements are in care of Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church Street, Hornell, NY.