Geraldine S. Malone, 85, passed away from this life on Saturday, October 8, 2016 after a long battle with congestive heart failure at home while surrounded by her family. Geraldine was born June 3, 1931 in Campbell, Ohio to David and Nellie (Elmore) Scott. Geraldine lived in Youngstown several years before moving to Rockford, Illinois in 1958. She married Wilfort Malone on April 2, 1965.
Geraldine was the first African American selected for the National Honor Society in 1948 at Memorial High School in Campbell, Ohio where she graduated. She received a diploma from the Youngstown Hospital School of Medical Technology. After moving to Rockford, she attended Rockford College and earned a Bachelors of Science in Education in 1973. She completed her Master of Arts from Central Michigan University in 1980.
From 1955 - 1958, Geraldine worked as a registered Medical Technologist at the Youngstown Hospital, Northside Unit. She continued working as a Medical Technologist in Rockford at OSF/St. Anthony Hospital from 1958 to 1972. While working in Freeport (1972 - 1994) she was employed as the Lab Manager and Educational Coordinator of the Medical Technology Program.
Geraldine is a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a former Board Member of the Illinois State Medical Technology Association and former President, Surveyor of Medical Technology Programs. Geraldine enjoyed researching her family tree. She was a member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society of Rockford and Charter Member of the National Museum of African American History & Culture. She volunteered at the Rockford Public Library and the Rockford Illinois Family History Center. She had a passion for collecting heirloom dolls and was a devoted mother who invested her time in the interest and hobbies of her children, grandchild, and great grandchild.
Geraldine is survived by her husband, Wilfort Malone; two daughters: Sharon (Michael Richardson) and Melanie Malone; grand-daughter, Markisha Malone; great grand-son Mikael Malone; beloved grand-pet, Nina; brother Dr. David (Gwendolyn) Scott, Jr. (PhD) of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Ella Pearl Squire; nieces: Lisa (James) Belinfontie of Roanoke, VA and Rhonda (David) Smith of Houston, TX.; nephews: Dr. David (Alisa) Scott, III (MD) of Ridgewood, NJ and Michael Scott of Houston, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends. Preceded in death are Geraldine's parents, David and Nellie Scott, Sr. and her sister Nellie M. Scott.
Memorial Service is Friday, October 14, 2016 at 12pm at Collins & Stone Funeral Home, 128 S. Fifth St., Rockford, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to: Heart Failure Society of America (www.hfsa.org) and Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).