Geraldine "Jeri" Belknap

Geraldine “Jeri” J. Belknap, 88, of Loves Park passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Rockford. Born January 28, 1932, in Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of Alfred and Alma (Tardy) Masse. Married Donald R. Belknap on July 31, 1949, in Salem. Member of St. Bridget Catholic Church.

Seldom do we have someone in our direct lives that is an inspirational, positive, loving and some have called heroic to them. If we are fortunate to have come across and share someone’s life that is thought of this way, that person was likely a high stature figure in society. To us as our Mom, she was all of those and more.

Our family would like you to get to know our Mom through some heartfelt reflection and sharing some memories of her. Now that our Mom has passed away and gone to be with God, her husband, Don, of 40 years, and our oldest brother, Larry, we are left with great memories and how truly special she really was.

Born as the oldest of 11 children, she began forming her gifted personality. She was thought of by her siblings as a very special person and their leader. Mom’s brothers and sisters found a sign that read, back by popular demand. She wore that sign around her neck in the airport and on the flight when going back to Massachusetts to visit. She was among other things very determined. With a positive, compassionate approach our mom could get results. This proved to be necessary when raising 5 boys in which she managed each of our schedules for school, sports, and a host of other activities. All while running a short order kitchen because her boys were rarely all home at the same time. It seemed daily that Mom was also a provider of a meal to many of our friends to which they would comment that Mom makes the best food they’ve ever had. Our Mom liked to give, and this is just one example. There are thousands! The Belknap home was a fun place to gather.

Mom loved people. Because of this she became masterful at waitressing. With a passion for people and cuisine she waitressed at several well remembered restaurants such as The Saddle and Cycle and The Mayflower. Lifelong friendships were formed, and those groups have even taken on name labels such as “The Mayflower Girls”. With that passion for people and food, Mom and Dad opened a restaurant on Windsor Road in Loves Park called The New Englander. Mom wanted to bring to the area what she grew up with, real New England subs and Friday night fish fry. She had her own recipe for authentic New England Clam chowder. People returned weekly to line up all the way into the parking lot knowing that “Jeri” was preparing another terrific meal for them. The restaurant offered our Mom something that was important to her. She wanted to be around people and make their day better.

Mom had a contagious personality. Honestly, she was never afraid to do something that expressed her zest for life. She also enjoyed making perfect strangers happy. Often in a restaurant while out for dinner she would begin one of her favorite songs “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands”. This while singing, clapping her hands in a rhythm that fit the song and encouraging all those around to join in the fun. To amazement, they would. She simply was happy and wanted to share that with others so they could feel the same.

Later in life Mom felt she had a stone unturned. She went to college at age 50 and at that time was a Freshman at Rock Valley College coincidentally with her youngest son Gerald. As the saying goes, you can’t make this stuff up. At RVC she joined a campus group called Student Enterprise. Mom loved those kids and they loved her. What seemed to be the beginning of Mom’s travel career, she organized transportation and lodging for that year’s Spring Break to Daytona Beach. She chaperoned all the kids by bus for break week. When they got there the hotel had been misrepresented and was less than acceptable. She then negotiated to move all those in favor to a nicer hotel nearby. Not sure how this happened because Daytona was booked solid! Mom was larger than life and not afraid to try!

Ultimately after having worked for several travel agencies, Mom formed her own travel business called Cruises and Tours by Jeri. She made travel perfect for her customers and many became personal friends.

Speaking of personal friends, Mom looked forward to her monthly Card Club gatherings. Her dear friend Helen formed this club back in the nineties and it still exists. The ladies formed a bond that is beautiful. Through this bond the group would go places together because I’m sure that once a month wasn’t nearly enough time to eat, sing and laugh together.
Our Mom first and foremost cherished her boys. This was an unconditional love for sure. I can’t imagine raising 5 boys. Our mom was blessed with more fruits of life in the form of grandchildren and great-grandchildren of which she adored. As the Belknap name will have no problem carrying on with so many grandsons, Mom was fortunately given an only granddaughter which she often referred to as “my favorite granddaughter”. With her granddaughter, Julea, the simple things were important like getting together for their coffee dates and Chinese food lunches. Gram’s favorite saying to end visits with the grandkids was “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”.

This window into our Mom’s life is an attempt to give some feel for what an incredibly beautiful person she was. Words alone can’t do it but what comes to mind if you ask us for 3 words; loving, passionate, and loyal. Simply put, there is and will be a big void. One thing in our Mom’s legacy would be to carry on her medicine for life by doing the best you can, one day at a time and making people around you happy!
We adore and love you Mom!

Blessings from the Belknap family and as Mom would say to end our conversations, “Bye for now”

Survivors include her sons, Steven (Theresa) Belknap, Timothy Belknap, Fred (Cyndi) Belknap and Gerald Belknap; grandchildren, Kyle (Hannah) Belknap, Austin Belknap, Colyn (Kristin) Belknap, Julea Belknap and Caleb Belknap; great-grandchildren, Parker, Dawson, Nicholas, Matthew and Seth; brother, Joel (Judy) Masse; sister, Linda Brown; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; husband; and son, Lawrence Belknap.

Memorial service at 6 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2020, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 4 p.m. to service time. Inurnment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Face coverings and social distancing required. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.