Gerri O'Kane Conyngham, 83

LEWES - Gerri O'Kane Conyngham passed away peacefully at her residence in Lewes. She was 83.

She was born June 4, 1924, in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Alphonsus and Gertrude (Fink) O'Kane.

Prior to moving to Lewes, Mrs. Conyngham resided in Glassboro, N.J., and later in Wilmington.

In her early career, she worked as a customer service representative and administrative assistant.

Subsequently, she returned to school and received an associate's degree from Gloucester County Community College, after which she was employed by Gloucester County, N.J., Division of Social Services as a social worker.

After retiring, she was active as a volunteer in several organizations in both Wilmington and Lewes, including St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, the Friends of Rockwood, the Lewes Historical Society, the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Vincent dePaul Society.

Mrs. Conyngham was an active member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church.

She was employed by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce as receptionist for eight years and retired from that organization in 2005.

Mrs. Conyngham was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Yates Conyngham; and her brother, Gerard O'Kane.

She is survived by her sisters, Maureen Van Bergen of Wilmington, and Nancy Osburn of Cleveland, Ga.; her nieces, Cathy Tatman of Lewes and Maureen Frame of Georgia; her nephews, Peter Van Bergen of Wilmington, Dennis, Stephen and Douglas Osburn of Florida; and her beloved great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday in St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Del. 1 north of Five Points, Lewes, where friends may call at the church one hour prior.

Father James Hreha will be the celebrant.

Interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.

Instead of flowers, contributions are suggested to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, P.O. Box 94, Lewes, DE 19958.