Jeri Klarich

Devoted to Family, Friends, and Community. Geraldine Frances (Jeri) Klarich was born on Feb 6, 1928 in Tacoma, WA to Creighton Duncan (Bill) and Mary Elizabeth (Bowman) Gordon. Jeri attended Stadium High School where she met the love of her life, Donald Robert (Don) Klarich, on a blind date. After WWII, they attended Washington State College together where she belonged to Alpha Chi Omega. In 1949 Jeri and Don married in Tacoma then moved to Visalia, CA in 1952 for a job opportunity. Later they moved to the bay area settling in Fremont in 1959 with their newborn daughter, Barbara. For 27 years Jeri was involved with Washington Hospital as both a volunteer and an employee. She volunteered from 1962-1978 and accrued 6, 779 hours. She served as President twice and participated on many committees. She became the first paid Director of Volunteer Services in 1978 and retired in 1989. Jeri also volunteered at Mattos School while her daughter attended as a Room Mother and as an active PTA member; more recently she volunteered at the tattoo removal clinic, gave tours of the hospital birthing center and was a member of the Child Welfare League. Jeri formed many lasting friendships and enjoyed playing tennis, golf, bridge and entertaining friends and family. Jeri loved Maui and vacationed there annually at Kaanapali from 1978. She enjoyed keeping up with current events and playing in two bridge groups which she joined in the mid-60's. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready to celebrate with friends and family. She was an enthusiastic WSU Cougar and 49ers fan. She was a strong person who always tried to do the right thing. Jeri once said she hoped to be remembered as a good friend. Jeri passed away peacefully at home with her daughter on February 4, 2015 from cancer and renal failure. She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Donald Robert Klarich and is survived by her daughter Barbara Klarich of Fremont, sister Jacqueline (Wes) Williams of Puyallup, WA; sister-in-law Lorna Lee Klarich of Tacoma, WA and her nieces and nephews: Kathy Sluman (Jim) of Roy, WA; Dennis Klarich (Carlotta) of Hoodsport, WA; Debbie Vaughn (Bill) of Renton, WA; Brenda Kalberer of Seattle, WA; Marsha Ryan (Tom) of San Rafael, CA; Robb Weller (Barbara) of Beverly Hills; Michelle and Shawn Klarich (of Kirkland and Tacoma, WA) and her grand nieces and nephews: Meghan, Valerie, Stacia, Greg, Kate, Joe, Lindsay, Kelsey, and Donovan. A celebration of life open house will be held on Sunday, March 15 from 1-4 pm at Jeri's home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Washington Hospital Service League or Gentiva Hospice Foundation.