Montville Woman Loses 'Courageous Fight with Breast Cancer'

Former Gifted and Talented Teacher Carol E. Geers (nee Bank), of Montville, passed away last Wednesday at the age of 55 after a courageous fight with breast cancer, according to Codey & Mackey Funeral Home.

Relatives and friends paid their respects on Sunday at the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home and there will be a mass on Monday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X R.C. Church, 24 Changebridge Road with an internment following the mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

Geers was born in Newark, raised in West Caldwell, and lived in Montville since 1984. 

"A proud Blue Hen, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Delaware. She continued her education at Montclair State University receiving her Master of Arts degree ... Geers' passion for education and children was a guiding force in her professional life. She began her teaching career as a Business Education teacher at Ridge High School, Bernards Township. She spent a few years as a computer consulting contractor for various school districts. Mrs. Geers then became a Gifted and Talented teacher for the Livingston School District for many years," according to her obituary. 

She was involved in Montclair State Univeristy's Philosophy for Children program and was selected to travel to England to collaborate with British educators. Geers was also an award winning coach for extracurricular activities such as Forensics, Mock Trial, Law Adventure, Knowledge Masters Open, Academically Speaking, and Cognetics Debate. Many of her teams achieved county, state, national, and world recognition. 

"As a woman who loved to combine food and friends, Mrs. Geers was the founder of the Gourmet Club, which she was a member for 14 years. She enjoyed spending time with family and close friends. She was an avid college and professional football fan. She also enjoyed following her children in their sports programs. Some of her favorite times were spent with family and friends down the shore." 

Surviving are her husband, Robert J.; children, Carolyn, with fiancé Daniel Green, Robert E., and Jennifer; mother Patricia Bank (nee Leonard); sisters, Deborah Jones, with her husband Bruce, and Pamela DelGuercio, with her husband Robert; also 3 nieces, 3 nephews, 2 grand nieces, and 1 grand nephew. She was predeceased by her father, Ernest Bank. 

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 785 Springfield Ave., Summit, NJ 07901. On the Codey & Mackey Funeral Home website, many in the community left kind words about Geers. Here's a few:C

Jeanmarie Piscitelli said,"Carol was a "classy" lady who handled life with charm and poise. I loved spending time with her-she always had a fun, positive, can do attitude. I'll miss our talks and her loyal and trusted friendship. A true angel here on earth."

Ellen Drury Whitehurst said, "Well, Car, now you can entertain all the angels in heaven with your renditions of Broadway songs and with your sparkling personality and smile. So saddened to hear of your passing my friend but glad that Sonny was there to welcome you home. Love you. Rest in peace."

The above obituary was from Codey & Mackey Funeral Home.