WESTBROOK — Geraldine “Geri” Ames Bandlow, 89, of Springvale, died on Saturday April 22, 2017 at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook.

Geraldine “Deenie” as her family called her was born in Flagstaff, Maine on Oct. 27, 1927 to Hazen Ames and Hilda Wing Ames. She was raised in Flagstaff and was Salutatorian of her high school class in 1945. While in school, she loved playing basketball and was the star player for most of those years.

She then went to business college in Portland, Maine and then worked at CMP. After a couple of years, Geraldine and her sister moved to New York City where she worked for McCrory’s Corporation.

There she met the love of her life, Richard C. Bandlow. Geraldine has said that he was the nicest, kindest man she had ever met. She introduced him to the activities of the mountains, streams and woods of the state of Maine. The couple married on July 30, 1950 in Eustis,Maine and spent the next 61 years together. They both enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, skiing. hiking and later in life, golfing.

When Richard was drafted into the U.S.Army to serve as Sergeant during the Korean Conflict, Geraldine lived in New York City with his sisters and mother and worked at Creedmore Hospital. While working there, she entered and won a beauty contest.

After his return, they moved to Maine, the state they both loved, to start their family, eventually raising two daughters. They designed and built their dream home on Hansons Ridge, Springvale.

When her children were school aged, Geraldine worked at Sanford Junior High School as a secretary. She enjoyed the interactions with the students and worked there until she retired. After retiring, Geraldine and a close friend drove across the country taking an entire summer to go coast to coast. She often reflected on the places she had seen and adventures that they had.

While raising her family, she continued to enjoy all the state has to offer. Such as; planning annual camping and skiing trips with friends and family. Holidays were a special time with her cooking being the high light for everyone. Geraldine wanted folks to be well fed and have a lot of laughs. She will be remembered as a fun loving and active athletic woman.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Bandlow, her mother, Hilda Wing Ames, her father, Hazen Ames, her sister Beulah “Bea” Davis Skilling, and two brothers Richard Ames and Robert Ames.

Surviving are her daughters Kathy A Bandlow of Scarborough, Maine and Donna Bandlow Church and her husband Edward H. Church of Lancaster, New Hampshire and their son Patrick E. Church of Big Bear City, California; three nephews, Terry A Davis and his wife Katharine of Scarborough, Maine and their three children Kristen Davis of Washington, D.C., Erik Joncas and wife Jamie of South Portland, Maine and Craig Joncas of Portland, Maine, Alan R. Davis of Bradenton, Florida and Richard Stravino, his wife Teresa and their two children Nicholas and Marissa all of East Northport, New York. and one niece Sharon Donahue of Provo, Utah.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the excellent staff of Avita of Stroudwater for the care and compassion shown to Geraldine during her stay there.

A Funeral Service will be held in Eustis at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel on June 3, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Flagstaff Cemetery. Online condolences can be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel, c/o treasurer, Ruey Yehle, 25 Northin Ave., Hampton, ME 04444.