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the voice of the abingtons abingtonsuburban.com |march 16, 2017
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PArAdE Proud
Clarks Summit council president was honorary marshal by Linda Scott
Gerri is one of seven children. She was married to the late William Carey for alSPEciaL to tHE abinGton SUbURban most 50 years. She has four children and five grandchildren. Germaine “Gerrie” Fitzgerald Carey In the middle of the night in Januwas recently elected president of the Clarks Summit borough council, but that’s ary 1997, a fire destroyed her home. The family escaped but lost everything. They not the only election she’s won of late. lived in different locations until the house She was also named, by unanimous vote, an honorary marshal for Scranton’s Saint could be rebuilt. “The whole community came together. Patrick Day parade, held last weekend. There were clothes drive and other collecCarey is of Irish descent and not only tions,” said Carey. “People came forward wears green for Saint Patrick’s Day but to support you. That is what made me run also decorates her home. A sign saying for Clarks Summit Borough Council.” “Happy Saint Patrick’s Day” is affixed to She has served on the Clarks Summit her garage door. Borough Council since 1999. Bob Parry, a family friend, loaned “Council is my family,” Carey said. her the Cadillac she rode in during the “Not everyone is going to agree but we parade, driven by her son Hutch. work together so that everybody is on Carey is not the only one in her family the same page.” named an honorary marshal. Her late “She is very capable and very deservuncle Francis Fitzgerald was also an honorary marshal and she has the sash he wore. ing,” said council member Patrick Williams. Carey is a member of Our Lady of She grew up in a large Irish Catholic Snows Church where she is a Eucharistic family in Clarks Summit. Her parents minister. She was instrumental in startare the late John and Marie Fitzgerald. The turnpike bridge is named in honor of ing the Lazarus ministry at the church to provide a luncheon after a funeral service. her father. Carey is very involved with many organizations local, county and municipal, including the Society of Irish Women and Federation of Democratic Women of Lackawanna County and she is on the
From left: Gerrie Carey; Dr. Karen Murphy of Clarks Summit; Jimmy Keeler, president of the St. Patrick Parade Association; Seamus Keeler; Kristy Keeler and Clover Keeler.
board of the Clarks Summit State Hospital. Through these organizations she has won many awards including PA Democrat of the year and Woman of the year. “She is a remarkle woman,” said former Clarks Summit Mayor Patty Lawer. “Serving those terms on council shows her dedication, understanding and commitment to the people of Clarks Summit Borough and beyond.” “She is a true and faithful friend to everyone,” said council member Dominic Scott. Clarks Summit Mayor Herman Johnson, asked for his thoughts on Carey, responded with this poem:
I do know well a gal called Gerrie; She’s full of wit and her heart is merry; From her work she does not tarry; Town folk know her as Gerrie Carey; A very proud Irish lass; Demonstrating Gaelic class; Often seen attending mass; Not afraid to show her sass; President of council is her seat; For several years she has not been beat; Her hard work makes our town complete; Her contributions are replete; And when Saint Patrick’s Day draws near; I’ll raise my glass and give a cheer; For my fine friend a legend here; Gerrie Carey, to make it clear.
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