Obituary of Geraldine Sylvan Rennels

Geraldine Rennels, age 87, died of natural causes July 18 at her home in Capitola. Born Geraldine Sylvan Keele in 1924, she grew up in Los Angeles during the Golden Age of Hollywood. As a child, she and her friends could travel to the Santa Monica beach by street trolley. Childhood ended with the onset of WWII, when some of her high school classmates went to war, and others went to Japanese internment camps. After the war, she worked as a stewardess for United Airlines, flying the DC-3 and DC-6. She met and married Arlin Rennels, a United Airlines pilot, with whom she settled on the east coast. The pair had four children, and enjoyed a happy marriage. Geraldine encountered three setbacks that would have defeated many women. Cancer struck her second-born child in 1953, polio hit Geraldine herself in 1955, and a stroke killed her husband in 1965. She rose to each challenge, and for many lifelong observers, Geraldine exemplified human courage and resilience. As a wheelchair-bound, single parent she finished raising their four children. When her children left home for college, she traveled throughout the U.S. by Winnebago motor home -- using paraplegic hand controls to drive - accompanied by her German shepherd companion. Eventually she settled again in her native California. She resided on Depot Hill in Capitola, where she enjoyed rolling her wheelchair along the quiet roads above Monterey Bay. Her children and grandchildren visited her frequently. In her last years, she also enjoyed the company of compassionate home health aides. She is survived by her children, Glenn Rennels, Douglas Rennels, Sue Rennels, and Deborah Rennels Salkind, as well as five granddaughters. A Celebration of Gerry's Life will occur Saturday Oct 13, 2012 from 1-5 pm at Gerry's house in Capitola. Friends are encouraged to come share memories. For info contact Sue at (831) 763-2466.