Lena Margaret McGeary (nee: Turner),
Age 89, a resident of Montville since 1946, died January 2, 2018 at Briar Hill Care Center in Middlefield. Born April 10, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio to Almerin and Eva (nee: Funk) Turner, Lena grew up in Cleveland Graduating from John Hayes High School in 1946. The Turner family moved to Montville, Ohio (Geauga) in the fall of 1946. She married Harold G. McGeary in November of 1948 in Crown Point, Indiana afterwards residing in Montville till time of her death. She graduated from Willoughby School of Nursing in 1965 as an LPN. In her younger years, she was a Nurse’s Aide in the maternity ward of Corey Hospital, she also worked in the offices of Chardon Rubber and Snap Out in Chardon.
Lena was a loving woman who opened her heart and arms to 49 foster children. In 1972, she and Harold opened “McGeary’s Foster Home” a state home for mentally handicapped children. She continued to care for children until 2002. She enjoyed flower gardening, doing puzzle books and jig saw puzzles and was known as the “Queen of eating ice cream”.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy McGeary of Montville Twp, sister, Vicki (Bill) Hopes of Orwell, OH, grandchildren, Lori Burba, William David (Kristy) Holbert and great grandchildren, Jay Alan and Christopher Burba, Brandon Michael Knight, Tyler and Daniel Holbert, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold Gilbert McGeary of 27 years, who died September 15, 1975, daughter Patti Holbert, granddaughters, Rebecca Holbert and Julie Anne Knight and Great-grandson Angel Holbert.
Lena’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Crossroads Hospice.
The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St. (on St. Rt. 44, 500’ south of Rt. 6/Chardon Square) Chardon, with the Funeral service at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow at Montville Twp. Cemetery.