Geraldine E. Bussard

Geraldine "Gerry" Elizabeth Bussard, nee' Suman, age 99, died on Sunday, January 4, 2015. Geraldine was born October 9, 1915 in Washington County, MD, to John and Elizabeth Suman. On September 19, 1937 she married Lewis Bussard. They were married for over 50 years and enjoyed traveling together all over the country. Geraldine and Lewis had one child, John Edwin Bussard. Gerry lived throughout Washington County until moving to Washington, DC in May of 1951 with Lewis and John. In 1956, the family moved to Seabrook, MD where she resided until 2 weeks prior to her death. For many years she lived on her grandfather's farm in Roxbury, MD and enjoyed those years very much. She was raised with her 3 cousins, Edgar, Leon and Virginia, with whom she was extremely close. Gerry was a member of St John's Lutheran Church in Riverdale, MD. She was very active in the church, for many years responsible for organizing bus trips and assisting with the monthly Senior Luncheons. Gerry will be especially remembered for her quick humor and willingness to help out others. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her beautiful smile, tenacity and incredible spirit will be missed deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Survivors include her son, John Bussard, granddaughter Denise Hightower and husband Keith Hightower, great grandsons, Zachary and Matthew and granddaughter Karen Hill and husband Scott Hill and great grandson, Logan. Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis. A memorial service will be held at St John's Lutheran Church, 5820 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, MD 20737 at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. A reception will be held after the service at St John's. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome at Hospice of the Chesapeake or St Jude's Children's Hospital. A special thank you to Patricia MacFarlane for all her help and support throughout the last 6 weeks.