Geraldine Ann Smith, 69, of Scotch Plains, N.J., entered into eternal life on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick, N.J. For 22 years she bravely and resolutely battled cancer. Never letting the disease stand in the way of her quest for life, she was an inspiration to all who knew her. Viewing will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave. Westfield, N.J. www.higginsandbonner.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains on Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, N.J. Geraldine, known to all her family and friends as Geri, was born to John and Pauline Novik on June 5, 1944. She was raised in Sayreville, N.J., and graduated from St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick, N.J., in 1961. In 1965, Geri graduated cum laude from Georgian Court College with a bachelor's degree. She was named a Dean's Scholar and received a departmental award in Latin, which was her major. She was president of Sigma Phi Sigma and was inducted into Kappa Gamma Pi, a national scholastic and activity honor society of Catholic women's colleges. Geri completed her master's degree in education with a specialization in English literature at Rutgers University in 1970. She had also completed all of the course work for her Ph.D. except for her dissertation. Geri was a master teacher. As an administrator and English Department head at Woodbridge and John F. Kennedy high schools in Woodbridge Township, N.J., she was respected and loved by the teachers she supervised, who felt she was the best mentor and department head any teacher could want. She shared her love of language and her many skills with all of her colleagues. An accomplished dancer, she choreographed, wrote and directed many student productions and helped many a nervous ninth grade boy gain the confidence to ask a girl to dance at the end-of-the-year "prom." Geri took immense pride in her second career as a realtor at Weichert. Her love of architecture combined with her keen negotiating skills made her a top realtor in New Jersey. Because of her customer satisfaction rating, she was named a New Jersey Monthly FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent in 2011 and 2012. As a lead mentor for the Watchung, N.J., office, Geri loved coaching new agents and left a lasting legacy with the firm. She especially enjoyed helping young couples to buy their first home. Geri was committed to helping those in need. For many years, she was a Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary and led volunteer efforts through the church. She truly enjoyed reading scripture and administering communion at the Scotch Plains Senior Citizen Home. And every fall she took great care in collecting school supplies for the United Way's Stuff the Bus campaign. She also was a loving caregiver to her mother, Pauline. Loyal and faithful, Geri was always ready to help her friends through the hard times and celebrate the happy ones. In 2012 she was elected the Republican committeewoman for the 15th District of Scotch Plains. But most of all, Geri cherished her family. She loved to throw parties and was happiest when she was cooking for her "Polish Army." She will be sadly missed by her beloved husband, Alexander Smith Jr., who was her soul-mate, her compatriot, her rock. Her children, Alex Smith and Allyson Smith were her pride and joy, and she raised them to be strong, independent and kind adults. She was predeceased by her mother, Pauline Novik, and her brother, John Novik. She will be sadly missed by her uncle, Hank Blaska, and his wife, Wanda; sister-in-law, Arlene Kacvinski, and her husband, Andy; brother-in-law, Bob Smith, and his wife, Eileen; sister-in-law, Diane Novik; daughter-in-law, Mieke Smith; goddaughters, Brittany Kane, Jennifer Krawchuk, and Amanda Smith, and godson David Salerno.