Geraldine Mary (nee Kelly) Buenaventura

Geraldine Buenaventura “Gerry” departed this life on May 30, 2021, at the age of 87 with her loving family at her side, peacefully at home, following a brave battle with leukemia. Gerry was born on October 20, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to Lawrence Kelly and Helen Hirsch Kelly.  She graduated from Holy Name High School and then attained her nursing degree at St. John’s Hospital in Cleveland.  She was very  proud to be a nurse and worked in labor and delivery where she met her future husband, Frank Buenaventura, who was a physician in training.  She shared many wonderful stories of growing up with her cousins in Cleveland and taking the streetcar to Higbees, buying cookies at Hough’s bakery, and enjoying Malley’s chocolates. She and Frank were married on April 16, 1954 and then moved to Alexandria, Virginia where they raised a family of three daughters.  Gerry volunteered as a nurse with the Red Cross and for various school functions.  She was a parishioner at Good Shepherd Parish for over 50 years. Gerry loved the Kennedy Center and was a Circles member for many years.  She loved Broadway musicals, a gift she passed onto her daughters.  She also loved to travel and journeyed to the Philippines to visit Frank’s family many times.  After her children were grown, she and Frank traveled the world visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Holy Land, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, the Panama Canal and South America.  She loved to host Christmas and always made her home very festive and beautiful while she served her famous Beef Wellington, roasted potatoes, and Caesar salad.  She loved St. Patrick’s Day and would cook corned beef, cabbage and potatoes and to listen to John Gary sing “A Little Bit of Heaven”.  Gerry visited Cleveland in the summers, as well as hosting her Cleveland and Filipino families at her home.  She enjoyed fine wine, dining out, and loved her morning coffee.  Her favorite restaurants in Alexandria were La Bergerie and Tempo which she frequented for special occasions.  Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she took the entire family on a wonderful trip to Disney World.   She is pre-deceased by her husband of 44 years, Frank A. Buenaventura MD (1998), her youngest daughter Joan Frances Lashley (2020), and her brother Lawrence Kelly Jr. (2020).  She is survived by her daughters Kathryn Fialk (Gary) and Susan Buenaventura (David Sendi) as well as her eight grandchildren, Kevin Lashley, Brian Lashley, Sean Lashley, Ellie Fialk, Michael Fialk, Andrew Fialk, Charlotte Sendi and Matthew Sendi.   The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Geraldine Mary (nee Kelly) Buenaventura, please visit our Tree Store.