Geraldine "Jerrie" Dorothy Cilea

Geraldine “Jerrie” Dorothy (Korenko) Cilea, 91, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 16, at Eden Hill Communities in New Braunfels, Texas.

Jerrie was born July 26, 1934, in Springfield, Pa., to Beatrice Ogden Korenko and John J. Korenko. She graduated from Springfield High in 1952, then was employed as a clerk and draftsman in downtown Philadelphia until May of 1960 when she married Anthony (“Tony”) Cilea, her loving husband of 38 years, who preceded her in death. An exceptional wife and mother, Jerrie devoted herself to raising their three children during her "Pennsylvania years" in York, Broomall, and Bloomsburg, ensuring that they had a loving, stable upbringing. Perhaps the most accurate description of Jerrie as a mother is how she described her own mother: “She was always there whenever we needed her, a terrific homemaker. She could do anything.” Ever her children’s advocate, Jerrie lived a cherished season of her life near her daughters, in West Chester, Pa., and Fort Mill, S.C., providing love and support as her grandchildren grew, finally settling near her son’s family at the Eden Hill Community in New Braunfels in her twilight years. An outgoing “joiner,” she plugged into each of those communities, cultivating treasured friendships along the way.

Known for her kindness, generosity, determination, and spunk, Jerrie enjoyed traveling, playing golf, reading, baking, crafting, playing cards with friends, and cavorting with a thriving Red Hat Society until her vision loss demanded more audible pursuits like music and books on tape. The heart and soul of her family, she will be deeply missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Carla Cilea, and their children Sarah and Tony; her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Michael Niemann, and their children Matthew, Nicole, and Michael; and her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Greg Singerle, and their children Kyle, Reece, and Seth. Jerrie was preceded in death by her sister Joyce Way and is survived by siblings Susan Zeiger and John Korenko.

Relatives and friends are invited to honor Jerrie at a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 11:00 AM at SS Peter and Paul Chapel, 1600 Sproul Road, Springfield, Pa., with interment immediately following at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, also in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at macular.org or the New Braunfels Food Bank at nbfoodbank.org.