Geraldine N. Beson

Geraldine N. Beson, 90, of Bay City, wife of the late Donald Edward Beson, Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, April 10, 2026, where she was lovingly cared for by all the amazing care givers at Bay County Medical Care Facility. Geraldine was born January 8, 1936, in Bay City, MI and has been a lifelong resident. She was a devout Catholic and lifetime member of Visitation Catholic Church, now, Our Lady of Peace. Geraldine was the youngest of 12 children of Theodore Christopher Schumann and Rachel Elizabeth Rivet Schumann. She was the nineth daughter, hence her middle name, Nina.

Geraldine was a stay-at-home mom, most proud of her children, and loved them to the point of making each one feel as though they were her favorite, while Donald relentlessly pleaded with her for that title. She did a variety of things to help make ends meet, such as cleaning homes and offices, baking, and picking pickles and berries. Later in life, she was employed at the Bay City Times, as a mail stuffer, cartoons and ads. She was known to show up one hour in advance to get the machine she wanted. Hobbies included sewing, (Christmas pjs, Easter dresses) making quilts for her family, baking, (Christmas cookies, cinnamon rolls, fruit tarts), knitting (mittens), crocheting, and canning. Nothing made Geraldine happier than being with her family, playing games, cards, dice, and puzzles. It was so important to her to attend Mass with her children, especially on Mother’s Day and the holidays. Geraldine was a mother and grandmother to so many, even in her final years of being cared for, she always watched out for others that could not speak for themselves. Despite Geraldine’s short formal education, due to her sickness as a child, she was a very wise woman of the world, an avid reader, loved Mother Teresa and read everything she could on her. She was a strong woman that rallied to live for her children, countless times! Geraldine’s courage and strength made her an amazing role model for all those in her life. Geraldine LOVED greatly!

Geraldine is survived by her six children; Ann Gisele McMath, Kimberly T. Teeple-Beson, Lynette S. Beson, Florence M. (Gary Parent), Donna J. LaRoche (David Woerpel), and Donald Edward Beson, Jr., niece/daughter, Sarah Pajot; sixteen grandchildren; Colleen Pake (TJ), and Hugh (Courtney) McMath, Danielle (Phillip) Baldwin, Kristen McMath, Holly Roberts, David (Ashlie) Roberts, and Austin (Julie) Brown, Corey Parent, Todd (Jackie) Parent, Jaime Parent (fiancé, Randy Latulippe), Madison McMath, and Griffin McMath, Richie (Shelby) LaRoche and Jennae (Caleb) Ninemire, Amanda Vanderwest (Andrew), and Heather Warren; forty great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson; her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Therese Rivet, Kathleen Beson, Alice (Michael) McDonnell, special daughter-in-law, Andrea Beson; best care giver ever, Michelle (Larry) Campau; lifelong friend, Iris Bell, and over 100 nieces and nephews, so many special ones! She was predeceased by her husband, parents, and her brothers and sisters, Genieve (Earl) Denomme, Catherine (Edward) Stokoe, LeRoy (Lucille) Schumann, James (Bud) (Ellen) Schumann, Louise (Eugene) DeMatio, Helen Roberts, Patricia (Max) Leitermann, Edward J. (Mike) (Yvonne) Schumann, Mary Ellen (Robert) Grout, Carol (Albert) Hubert, B. Sally (Theodore) Ciaciuch; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joseph (Rosemary) Beson, Robert (Helen) Beson, Leonard (Anne) Beson, Yvonne (E.J.) Schumann, Clifford (Delores) Beson, Jeanne (Edward) Zondlak, Russell Rivet, and Leo Beson; sons-in-law, Peter McMath and Richard LaRoche; grandchildren, Thomas Joseph and Rachel Brown; great-grandchild, Hazel Pennington; aunt and stepmother; Lillian Rivet Schumann.

Funeral Liturgy will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026 at Corpus Christi Parish. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Dave Parsch with Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Gephart Funeral Home from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The family will pray the Rosary on Sunday at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. Geraldine will be taken to the church to lie in state on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy, may wish to consider memorial contributions to family wishes or Safe Harbor Kitchen as Geraldine had a heart for those in need.