Gerri Marie (Paro) Ruane

Our dear mother, Gerri Marie Ruane, of Kannapolis, NC, died from cancer of the brain on January 24, 2024, in the care of her family.

She was born in 1953 to Vera and Tom Paro in Manhattan, New York. She was the 2nd to youngest of 4 siblings; Joyce, Linda, and Billy. She dwelled in a few locations throughout New York City in her childhood and young adult years. In 1976 she married her first husband, Clifford Bonacker, and they had two sons, Kurt and Eric. They resided in Elmont, NY and later moved out further east on Long Island into a small town named Saint James, where they spent many happy years. Gerri had a great passion for life. She was hard worker and spent a few years working at a bakery before moving into the HR/payroll department of Nursing Sisters Healthcare, where she enjoyed a 15 year career.

She married her second and late husband, Edward Patrick Ruane, on May 12th, 2007. They moved to Kannapolis, NC where they lived very happily until Edward died in April of 2023. This marriage welcomed 5 new step children, Eddie Jr., Linda, Brian, Kimberly and Jennifer. The life that Gerri and Edward created in Kannapolis was one filled with new friendships and a great devotion to faith. The warm and gregarious nature of Gerri was very inviting to new friends who ultimately felt like family after a short while. Gerri was always surrounded by family, friends and members of her church congregation. Gerri was an ardent student of the Bible, in which she, humbly, applied Its teachings to her everyday life.

In the past year, Gerri fought a courageous battle against cancer. Her attitude towards life and her family and friends did not waver, she did not complain, and she was strong right up until the end. The Bible’s promise of the resurrection based on Jesus’ sacrifice is a hope from which she drew much comfort.

Gerri is survived by her sisters, Joyce and Linda, her two children, Kurt and Eric, her 5 step children, Edward Jr., Linda, Brian, Kimberly and Jennifer, her 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. She took much interest in all of their lives. Her love and energy was greatly accepted and she will be dearly missed.

Celebration of her life will be held at Whitley’s Funeral Home on Sunday, February 4th, 2024. The Receiving is from 2-3pm and the service will be at 3pm.