Obituary of Girolama Palmieri O'Herron

Geroma, "Little Bit" Girolama Palmieri O'Herron went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the age of 89. She was born in Elmira to the late Gilbert and Jennie Palmieri. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, D. Joseph O'Herron and brother, Joseph Palmieri. She is survived by her children, with their families: Daniel and Connie O'Herron, with children, Marc O'Herron, Amy (Jimmy) Hogan, Katherine O'Herron and Andrea (Justin) Mosher; Mark and Karna O'Herron, with daughter Kacey (Eric) Gergel; John and Diane O'Herron, with children, Michael (Dina), Laura (Chris Ellis), and Tina (Scott McGuire); Mary and Michael McFarland, with son Patrick (Danielle Chalk); Kathy and Larry Lawrence, with daughters, Leeann and Caitlin; Geroma and Chuck Reed, with daughter Jennie; Betsy and Scott Tolbert, with children, Colin, Madelyn, and Alison. Geroma is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Riley, Isabella and Carson O'Herron, Daniel and Henry Mosher, and Cecily Gergel; sister Erminia Hoeppel of Evans GA; sister-in-law Kathryn Biggs O'Herron of Elmira, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Geroma and Joe met at the Pioneer Restaurant where she was a waitress and he was a bartender. They married and together raised seven children in their big house on Pennsylvania Avenue. Her beloved mother, Jennie, lived upstairs. It was common to walk in the house and smell spaghetti sauce or other delicious foods cooking in the kitchen. The holiday parties were big and everyone was welcome. Geroma worked for a few years at Marine Midland Bank. She was a volunteer at Meals on Wheels and the Samaritan Center. Geroma sang in the Folk Group at St. Mary's Church, where she was a long time communicant. In most recent years, Geroma was the life of the party at Appleridge Senior Living, where she was always ready with a smile and a hug. She loved to dance and would often lead the Chicken Dance at parties. She had a big heart for "Little Bit" of a lady and loved her family dearly. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, October 5, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held there on Friday, October 6, 2017, 9:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Elmira. Interment, with committal prayers, will then take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Geroma with a donation to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, 388 Upper Oakwood Avenue, Elmira Heights NY 14903. The O'Herron family would like to thank the staffs at Appleridge Senior Living and Bethany Manor for their loving care.