Geraldine Louise Staff, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 14, 2017 at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, Florida.

Geraldine was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 9, 1939.

Prior to retiring to Florida in the 80s, Geraldine and her husband, Jim, founded and operated Staff Carpet in Springfield, Illinois.

Always willing to lend an ear, Geraldine was a kind and loving soul who left a positive impact on the lives of everyone she came across. In retirement, she was an active card player, Broadway musical enthusiast, and world-traveler. In all, Geraldine helped create thousands of lasting memories for all those she has left behind.

Geraldine is survived by: daughters, Kelly Stern (George), Stacy Lippson, Jackie Hurley (Terry), her son, John Staff (Debbie); sisters, Barbara Bates Raber and Allison Davis; brothers, Ken Dudley and Roy Benton Jr., as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her mother Mary Benton Haines, husband Jim Staff, and sisters Donna Giovanniello and Deborah Vetter.

A visitation will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, December 20 at the Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral Home at 1600 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33907. Following the visitation, there will be a memorial service at 11 am officiated by Pastor Kathy Lyons-Frumoff.

Geraldine’s family has established a higher education scholarship fund in her honor. Donations can be made to the Geraldine Staff Education Impact Fund at 8191 College Parkway Suite 301, Fort Myers, FL 33919. Donations will go toward funding education for deserving and ambitious young women.

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