Marilyn, Chas, Bill, Curt, & Geri in 1978
Although I wish you all the best for the New Year, 2013 began with a somber start for me. My undergrad friend from Northwestern, Geri Doran Yanes, passed this past Friday, after a 20 year fight with an elusive blood disorder.
I met Geri in September, 1976 at Northwestern’s Band Camp. She and I were both members of the flag squad. Our friendship grew because of the many hours we spent in rehearsals with NUMB and the football games on campus, as well as away games at Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.
When clases began, we found that we Geri, who lived in a small house on North Campus, ate her meals in my dorm cafeteria. The circle grew with Marilyn Susek Fisher and Chas Rush, who also lived in my dorm and played in NUMB, and Bill Marden, another friend from our dorm. The photo above was taken during Winter Quarter, 1978, when we were sophomores. I was taking a photography class, and this photo was one of my first attempts at a self-portrait, using a tripod. This photo of the five of us came to symbolize our friendship, and became a symbol of our friendship and trust. (This was the winter of the huge winter snowstorm which closed Northwestern for 2 days, and cost the mayoral re-election of Michael Bilandic to Jane Byrne.)
Bill, Geri, Marilyn, Chas, & Curt in 2005
After graduation in 1980, Geri spearheaded the idea that the five of us should reunite every five years. She was the motivating force to get the rest of us organized, and we had reunions regularly in 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. Throughout this time, Geri experienced advancing signs of the disease that would eventually take her life. But I now believe that these milestone reunions also gave her focus and purpose, and I am so very grateful that they came to be a part of our lives together during that time. (This photo of the five of us was taken in 2005, at the last reunion that we were able to schedule, and was shot in the courtyard of Foster-Walker, where four of us lived, and all of us took our meals). We attended a Northwestern home football game that weekend, in September 2005.
The vigil service and funeral mass in Omaha, Nebraska this past Wednesday and Thursday were gracious and moving for all of us who attended. Marilyn, Chas, Bill, Rosie & I gathered to remember Geri and support her husband, Al Yanes, at this difficult time. We were all grateful for the opportunity to be together with Al and Geri’s family.
Geri Doran Yanes
I remember Geri as one of the most kind, generous, and gentle people I’ve ever come to known. It was clear as I attended her vigil and funeral this past week in Omaha, that she was loved and respected so much by her family and friends. I am fortunate that she was a part of my life, and her memory will be a foundation of my resolve to emulate her kindness and gentleness in the years to come. You can read Geri’s obituary by clicking here.
God bless, and rest in peace, Geri.
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