Geraldine Ann Hankle

Geraldine (Geri) Ann Hankle, age 96, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023. She was born in Denver, Colorado to John Edward and Agnes Catherine (Hutton) McGann. She was the second oldest of seven children, and the oldest girl. Geri lost a baby brother and younger sister at very early ages, so she grew up most of her life with four brothers. Being the only girl, she had certain privileges. She had her own bedroom and she got to take the first bath of the weekly Saturday evening baths. Needless to say, by the time the last brother had his turn, the bath water was a little dirty. Since Geri’s family had some struggles during the depression era, she was always frugal and thankful for everything she had. Geri graduated from Holy Family Catholic High School in 1945. She worked at Morey Mercantile following high school where she did general office work. Geri met the love of her life, Roy Hankle, at a local Denver hangout for the young folks, which was an ice cream shop, called Evalona Dairy. They became inseparable and were married in 1947. They soon became a family and had a daughter in 1948 and named her Sherl. While Roy was away during the Korean War, Geri and her daughter Sherl, moved back in with Geri’s parents in North Denver to help make ends meet and when Roy returned, they settled down with Roy’s immediate family, in a shared home that had separate apartments. In 1953, they added another daughter named Diane. The family then moved into their own home in the Ruby Hill neighborhood. In 1959, Geri and Roy welcomed their son, Michael and in 1963, they welcomed another daughter, Debra. Roy and Geri were very close to their parents and siblings and would visit with them every Sunday. In August 1970, the family moved to Englewood where Roy was a teacher. Geri was a busy homemaker, and took excellent care of her family. She spent many hours volunteering at her kids’ schools, she sewed a lot of her kids’ clothes and Halloween costumes, and she was also an excellent cook and baker and was well known for her coconut and banana cream pies and homemade noodles. She was always making something yummy in the kitchen. She was also a night owl and loved staying up late to watch movies and even scary ones on occasion. She learned to formally drive a car when she was about 42 years old. She learned alongside her daughter Diane, and her daughter Sherl taught them both. After that, Geri was able to visit her mother during the week, taking her to doctor appointments and out to lunch and shopping.

Geri was an avid Broncos and Rockies fan and loved watching the games. Geri and Roy took several driving vacations, mostly to visit family around the U.S., and in 2001 they took a dream cruise to the Hawaiian Islands with their daughter Diane and her husband Ed. This was the first time Geri had ever flown in a plane. Geri spent many years watching her grandchildren when they were little and loved to play Old Maid, Chinese Checkers, and Cootie.  She was always a fixture at her children’s and grandchildren’s school programs and sporting events.  You could always count on her to be there for you. She also kept in touch with many of her high school friends and for many years they would meet once a month for lunch.  When Roy passed away in August 2020, Geri wanted to stay in their house. She was able to do so, with a little help from her kids and some home health caregivers, until August 2023. She then moved into a memory care facility, and although it was a bit of a challenge early on, she seemed to be happy until her death. She was able to celebrate her 96th birthday before she passed away, which was quite an accomplishment.

Geri was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She enjoyed many family gatherings during the holidays and every year on her birthday the whole family would get together to enjoy Sunday brunch and watch an occasional Broncos game on t.v.

She is survived by her daughters Sherl and Debra (John), and son Michael (Beth); grandchildren Scott (Allyson), Trisia, Jennie (Troy), Rachel (Mario), Ryan (Jamie), Madeline, and Jacqueline; great-grandchildren Aaron (Emma), Cynthia (Alex), Tyler, Keelan (Nikki), Alyssa, Sophie, Kaie, Evan, Rylie, Eleanor, Maxson, and Eve; and great-great-grandchildren Axel, Kennedy, Hendrik, Waylon, and Carter; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband Roy of 73 years, her parents, brothers John, Edward, Bernard, Eugene, and baby McGann, and sister Dolores, and daughter Diane.

Viewing and Visitation from 4-6PM and Recitation of the Rosary at 6PM on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at Drinkwine Family Mortuary, 999 W. Littleton Boulevard, Littleton CO 80120.

Funeral Mass at 9:30AM on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at All Souls Catholic Church, 4950 S. Logan Street, Englewood CO 80013; a reception will immediately follow the mass at Drinkwine Family Reception Hall. Interment will follow the reception at 2PM at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.

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