Geraldine H. Palaka

Woodgate- Geraldine H. (Szpiech) Palaka, 85, a former longtime resident of Elmwood Road, Woodgate, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2014, at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she had resided since 2004. Geraldine was born on August 25, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Josephine Laska Szpiech. At the age of 5, she moved to Rome, with her family, where she graduated from high school and then from Utica School of Commerce. For several years she was employed as an operator at Anserphone of Rome, moving to Woodgate, in 1965. On August 28, 1948, Geraldine was married to Vincent D. Palaka, at Transfiguration Church, Rome. Mr. Palaka predeceased her. Mrs. Palaka was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Forestport, and St. Patrick's Women's Club and in earlier years a member of the Christ Child Society of Transfiguration Church of Rome. She is survived by her beloved cousins, Anatol "Tony" Laska and his wife Nelida Dalton Laska, New Britain, CT, and Wanda Szpiech and her husband, Henry Szumski, Kingston, Ontario. Her family would like to thanks the staff of Sunset Nmursing Home and Rehabilitation Center for the exceptional care she received, and also to the wonderful friends she had, especially Francis Plesnarski and Betty James. In keeping with her wishes, Geraldine's remains were donated to SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse. At a date and time to be announced there will be a Funeral Mass, followed by the interment of her ashes in Woodgate Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Womens Club of Christ Our Hope Parish, 108 Charles Street, Boonville, New York 13309. Her arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville.