Obituary: Geralyn Ann "Mrs. Grasshopper" Erickson, 58

Geralyn Ann Erickson “Mrs. Grasshopper”, 58 of Newport, RI passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Geralyn graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1975. She attended Green Mountain College in Vermont and graduated in 1979 with a degree in dental assisting. She worked for Dr. Wigand DDS in Middletown, RI for over 23 years.

Geralyn worked for the family business “Grasshopper Landscaping” for 38 years and was also the owner and proprietor of “Beachstone Bed and Breakfast”. She grew up skiing in the mountains of Vermont and loved gardening, boating, golfing, scooter rides around Ocean Drive, and walks on the beach with her namesake dog Bailey. Her favorite activity of all was having “date night” with the love of her life and husband Jay. They celebrated this tradition without failure for decades.

Geralyn fought a courageous war with ovarian cancer. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Women and Infants Hospital for their kindness and care during her illness. Thank you to all our family and friends for all their love and support.

Geralyn is survived by her husband John (Jay) Erickson, her sons J.J. and Michael all of Newport, RI. She is also survived by her mother Marilyn Cosgrove of Melbourne, FL; her sister Darlene MacKay of Stuart, FL; her brother Matthew Cosgrove of Melbourne, FL; her sister Nancy Smith and husband Will of Melbourne, FL; her sister Deborah Cosgrove of Tiverton, RI; her brother Gerald Cosgrove and wife Erin of Portsmouth, RI; her brother Mark Cosgrove of Burke, VA; her brother Gary Cosgrove and wife Danielli of Los Angeles, CA. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Donations in her memory may be made to The Cluny School, 75 Brenton Road, Newport, RI 02840 or to the “Izzy Fund” of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, PO Box 2326, Providence, RI 02906.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 3:00-6:00 pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport, RI. Her funeral will follow Monday, June 8, 2015 at 10:00 am, St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be private.