In loving memory of Nancy Gerard - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

On October 8th, 2022, Nancy Dobey Gerard, 89, left her earthly family and ran into the waiting embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her heavenly family welcoming her to her eternal home. Nancy was born in Evanston, Illinois on July 22,1933, the 4th child of Jeane and Harron Dobey. She spent her childhood and teenage years in Park Ridge and graduated from Maine Township High School in 1951. It was there she met the handsome Jim Gerard and not only did he become her high school sweetheart but also her life-long partner of 69 years. They raised 5 children together.

During their married life they lived in several places including Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, Missouri, California and Georgia, finally settling in Cary, Illinois in1969, which became their home for 24 years. It was there that Nancy fulfilled a dream of opening her own ice cream shop and The Lemon Drop became a favorite hang out for children and adults alike. In Cary, Nancy became involved in her children’s schools and also became the Cary Village clerk for several years until 1993 when she and Jim left their Illinois family for warmer climes and joined their son Jim and family in Orlando, Florida. In Orlando they joined First Baptist Church Orlando, where they made many friends and enjoyed serving wherever they were needed. Nancy and Jim also volunteered for many years at Give Kids the World Village that provides cost-free vacations to critically ill children and their families who want to visit Central Florida.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband James Gerard, 5 children, Steve (Laura), Jim (Lynn), Julie (Dann Curry) Jack (Jeannette) and Bob (Sherri), and daughter-in-law Christine, 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jeane and Harron Dobey, sisters Bette McNeil, Bonnie Campbell, brother Jack Dobey and grandson Christian Gerard.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 5th at 10:30am at First Baptist Church Orlando, Henry Chapel 3000 S. John Young Parkway, Orlando.

Service will be held on November 5th at First Baptist church Orlando, Henry Chapel at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be given in Nancy’s honor to Give Kids the World at www.gktw.org/help/