Geraldine Stapf (née Shook) of Montgomery, OH, passed away May 3, 2026, at the age of 88. Loving wife of the late Philip F. Stapf. Devoted mother of Laura (the late Eric) Woolhiser, Susan (Scott) Timmons, Julie (the late Kevin Stock) Stapf, Vicky Stapf, and Barbara (William) Liss. Cherished grandmother of Kimberley Woolhiser, Sarah Woolhiser, Michael Woolhiser, Stephen Woolhiser, Matthew Woolhiser, Kate (Nathan) Woolhiser Parker, Theresa Woolhiser, Anne-Marie Woolhiser, Kyle Timmons, Megan Timmons, Benjamin Liss, and Ariel Liss. Geraldine is also survived by her beloved dog, Maybelle.

Born August 3, 1937, in Cincinnati, Gerrie was raised by an extended family, including her grandmother and aunts. She attended Ursuline Academy, where her lifelong love of learning was cultivated, and she formed enduring friendships. Before her marriage, she worked in the labs at Procter & Gamble, an environment that fostered her interest in science. She used her earnings to purchase her first car, a Plymouth Fury, and travel.

Gerrie married Phil Stapf in 1961. Together they raised their five daughters. She made cakes for every birthday, and she never missed a concert or a school play. A self-proclaimed “Granny Monster”, she deeply loved her grandchildren. “Purple Granny” could be counted on to provide an after-school refuge, unvarnished advice, and no-nonsense encouragement.

Gerrie was an avid reader and was rarely without a book and a cup of coffee. She loved animals of all kinds, but especially elephants, lions and all of the family dogs and horses. She held her first subscription to the Cincinnati Symphony at 17 and never lost her love of classical music. She also loved calypso and folk music. She shared this love with her daughters and grandchildren, sometimes conducting along to the car radio—with both hands off the steering wheel. She also allowed the radio to stay tuned to WEBN on Sundays on the way home from church "when Bach met rock and rock took over." She delighted in puzzles, whether literal or figurative, and took pleasure in the weekly crossword puzzle.

Gerrie’s Catholic faith informed her worldview and her strongly held political beliefs. She was both outspoken with her opinions and quietly generous, supporting many charities over the years. She lived a life shaped by curiosity and conviction. Those closest to her appreciated her wit, her intelligence, her honesty, her dry sense of humor and her unwillingness to be anything less than herself. She will be remembered with fondness and gratitude by those who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Library Foundation of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202; the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202; or the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220.

Family and friends will be received Friday, May 15, 2026, from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249, where a Mass of Christian Burial for Geraldine will begin at 10 AM. Inurnment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.