Tribute

Our dearly loved Gerrie Hynes of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sadly passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022. Gerrie danced gracefully through life with an exuberant spirit and a boundless joy that resonated to every person she touched with her deeply caring heart. She was born to parents Frederick Michael Key and Bridget Senape Key (later Marsiat) on August 2, 1938, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. She raised her children in Ridley Park, near Philadelphia, with her first husband, Anthony Pecone. As a young woman, Gerrie pursued extraordinary careers as a fashion model in New York City, in sales for Danskin Apparel in Springfield, Massachusetts, then in management of her own fur business. She later authored the charming book, “Bridgie Says,” a reminiscence of her mother’s wisdom, proverbs and recipes recounted to family, friends, and customers of her Senape’s restaurant in Hazleton. The culmination of Gerrie’s callings came as an esteemed sales representative for the Prudential Insurance Co. in New Jersey, where she rose to the position of vice-president. Upon retiring in 2000, Gerrie traveled adventurously by sailboat along the East Coast and the Caribbean with her second husband, Ronald Hynes. She eventually elected to reside at Jackson Tower in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2002. There, with enduring hospitality, she kept her home always open to her many dedicated friends and relatives sojourning from around the country. By her consummate elegance, congeniality, kindness, graciousness, and charismatic energy, she enhanced many a local dance class, bridge match or tennis game, and brightened countless community and social gatherings. Her sage input on virtually any intriguing issue – not to mention her prowess at scrabble, backgammon, mahjong, and even amateur poker – revealed the extraordinary span of her insightful mind, quick wit, and delightful camaraderie. Gerrie possessed an enchanting way of making everyone she knew or met, whether longtime friends or new ones, feel special. No person was just an acquaintance to Gerrie, for she befriended everyone. Moreover, they recognized she would steadfastly support them, no matter the circumstance. Gerrie viewed the world with unyielding positivity, even when confronting the dire challenges of life, inspiring all. And even in death, our beloved Gerrie gave of herself: She insisted her body be donated for scientific research so that others might derive lifesaving benefit. Anyone wishing to contribute to a charitable cause in Gerrie’s memory should consider doing so to either Vitas Hospice Community Connection or the American Cancer Society. A Celebration of Gerrie’s Life will be held on January 8, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Cafe Vico Restaurant, 1125 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Friends & Family

This remarkable woman is survived by her loving life partner, Brian Cavanagh, to whom she devoted the last eleven wonderful years together; her two fine sons, Richard Pecone of Baltimore, Maryland, and Victor (& Linda) Pecone of Lyons, Colorado; her two loving stepdaughters, Dori (& Chris) Muldowney and Caren (& Philip) Eclarinal of Arlington, Virgina; her beloved brother, Frank (& Ashley) Marsiat of Tampa, Florida, and sister, Rose Marsiat Pezenosky of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; her three treasured grandchildren, Giulia (& Eric) Pecone Sullivan, Anthony (& Kelsey) Pecone and Andrea Montoya, and her five precious great-grandchildren, Elijah, Maia, Ivory, Angela and Niko, all of Lyons, Colorado; her fond nephew John (& Arleen) Pecone of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and endearing nieces, Morgan Marsiat of Laguna Beach, California, and Denise (& John) Maher of Nanuet, New York, of whom she was also loving godmother; her dearly close cousins, Charlene (& Kevin Cottage) McDermott of Corrales, New Mexico, Philip (& Wendy) Key of Freeport, Pennsylvania, and Laura James (née Agnes Piccino) of Encino, California, as well as by so many more loving relatives and cherished friends.