Anchorage Daily News September 3, 2006

Anchorage resident Geraldine "Gerry" Isabelle Morand Firmin, 81, died of cancer Aug. 29, 2006, at Providence Extended Care Center. Services were at St. Patrick's Church, 2111 Muldoon Road, with burial at Angelus Memorial Park.

Mrs. Firmin was born April 10, 1925, in Bay City, Mich., to Alfred and Theresa Morand. She was raised there and attended Catholic schools. In 1945, she met Lewis Giles Firmin, who was performing with the U.S. Army band at the USO. They were married in Bay City. In 1946, they moved to Anchorage, where their first home was a Quonset hut on Government Hill. In 1950, they moved to a house at 429 Eighth Ave. on the original Anchorage townsite. Mrs. Firmin held jobs as a retail clerk; her main occupation was raising their six children. She was especially well-known for her home cooking. Mrs. Firmin was a member of Holy Family Cathedral and sang in the choir. After her husband's death in 1971, she completed her G.E.D. and went to work for Anchorage Telephone Utility, retiring in 1989. Since 1979, she had been a member of St. Patrick's Church. After her retirement, she volunteered at Bishop's Attic and other service organizations.

Mrs. Firmin is survived by her sister, Jeannie Lesperance of Bay City; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Linda Ross of San Anselmo, Calif., Robert and Nora of Eagle River and James and Susan of Fairbanks; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Bob Weber of Wasilla; daughter-in-law, Susan of Willow; grandchildren, Jake, Tonya, Amy, Mike, Pete, Teresa, Lewis, Andrew, Jolene, Colleen, Kelly, Daniel, Nicole and Mathew; and great-grandchildren, Tevin, Andre, Charlie, Chloe, Evan R., Lauren, Douglas, Evan, Ahna and Angelica. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis; sons, Joe Andrew and William Allen; five brothers; and six sisters. In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorial tributes be made to Providence Hospice, 3435 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507. Arrangements were with Evergreen Memorial Chapel.