Geraldine Faye Bushong, 78, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023 from her long battle with cancer.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home with Sammy Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Panorama Memorial Gardens at Waterlick.
Mrs. Bushong was born March 24, 1945 at Johnson’s Nursing Home in Front Royal, daughter of the late Fredrick Douglas Shenk and Mary Virginia Hoskins Shenk.
She attended and graduated from John S. Mosby Academy in 1963. Geraldine was an employee at the family business, Shenk’s Rusco Window Company, for over 30 years.
She enjoyed bear and bird watching when camping in the mountains. Geraldine was a One Stroke Paint Instructor and loved making and sharing her crafts. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Front Royal and was a loving and devoted wife, mother, Mammaw, sister, aunt, and friend.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rudy, who passed in 2010 and her daughter, Christy, who passed in 2021.
Surviving is her brother, Ashby Douglas Shenk of Millwood, Virginia; two sisters, Virginia Ann Shenk Nason of Methuen, Massachusetts and Delilah Shenk Hughes and husband Robert (Bobby) Hughes of Homestead, Florida; son-in-law, Glenn Downs of Stephens City; grandchildren, Cole Hunter Downs and Devyn Faye Downs, both of Stephens City; and many nieces and nephews.
She dearly loved her grandchildren, who knew her as Mammaw, and she was extremely proud of them.
Pallbearers will be Allen Shenk, Darren Shenk, Gary Shenk, Tim Shenk, Mike Shenk, John Shenk, Jeffrey Nason and Kevin Nason.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby and Nancy Coverstone, Brenda Ramey, Terry Shenk, Darlene Williamson, Dr. Gayland Hethcoat and his nurse, Lisa, Carl and Sandra Espenlaub, Bill and Nancy Hoskins Ferencz, and Al and Peg-E Hoskins Bingaman.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 16 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
To Geraldine’s family (my cousins) and her friends, By the time we reach a certain age, we have lost many loved ones. Each is special. Some are just more special! Geraldine has ascended to Heaven is God’s own hands with a special task in mind for her. After being fitted with unbelievably gorgeous wings, our angel Geraldine will do what she did here on Earth…spread happiness. I think God will put her in charge of that, and she’ll even teach new angels how to reach down and touch us so that we feel her and their support, love, and care in our daily lives. We’ll feel you every day, and meet with you when God thinks we’re ready for the next reunion. We love you.
There are so many, many things I will always remember about Aunt Geraldine and Uncle Rudy, especially the many, many times I spent time with them during my college years. I don’t think there was a single weekend (that I didn’t go home), that I didn’t either go to Aunt Geraldine and Unlce Rudys house or to my Grandmother’s house where Aunt Geraldine and Uncle Rudy often would be as well. I will always remember those times spent with her and Uncle Rudy and their girls and how special those times were. And even times after college right up to the time last summer I took steamed crabs up and sat and picked them with her. These times were special and I am forever thankful I have these memories. I will miss her, but know that she is reunited with Uncle Rudy, Christy and her Mom and Daddy. RIP Aunt Geraldine and give my Mom and Dad and Jimmy a big hug for me.
I’ve known Geraldine since grade school, and was so pleased to reconnect in 2021 when we were in rehab together. She was so brave in all that she had faced and it was great to sit and talk again, then later on text back and forth. My prayers go to her family and friends.
I have many cherished memories of Aunt G growing up. She will always hold a special place in my heart. There is peace knowing you are with Uncle Rudy, Christy and all those that have gone before you. Sending love and prayers to family and friends.