Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Geraldine Ann Risley passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, WA, surrounded by her family, following a long illness.

Geraldine was born on September 26, 1939 in Deer Lodge, Montana. She later moved to Washington State and married Harvey Risley in Ephrata, Washington in 1961. The Risley’s moved to Spokane and then on to Haines, Alaska, in 1969 where they raised their two sons, David and Dean. After spending many wonderful years in Haines, they retired to Yakima in 2006.

While loving in Haines, Geraldine was active in the community as a business owner and a member of the Emblem Club. While in the Emblem Club, she took on many roles including serving as club president. She worked alongside her husband to build their dream home and played an active role on their fishing boat. She enjoyed bowling and was in a women’s league as well as a mixed doubles league. She was a lover of all animals, but she was especially fond of dogs. She had several dogs over the years and enjoyed telling stories about her beloved pets. She also enjoyed working in her flower garden.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Harriet Tolliver, her step father, Bill Tolliver, and her brother, Gary Tolliver. She is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Harvey Risley, sons David (Carrie) Risley, Dean Risley, grandsons, Darren Rose, Michael Risley, and Taylor Risley, brother, Ron Ferron, brother-in-law, Richard Benjamin, sisters-in-law, Eileen McCready and Anne Sanders, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be arranged at a later date. The family would like to thank the care givers at the University of Washington Medical Center, in Seattle and Cottage in the Meadow, in Yakima. To share a memory or condolence, please visit http://www.Brooksidefhc.com.