Geraldine M. "Gerrie" (née Tierney) Boland

Geraldine Marie Boland (Tierney)

Age 83 of Mendota Heights, MN, died September 29, 2023. Gerrie was born January 25, 1940, in St. Cloud, MN, to Robert and Lenore Tierney. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy and earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Speech from the College of St. Catherine. She married Mike “Bubs” Boland on August 10, 1963, in St. Paul, and upon settling in Mendota Heights, MN, they became lifelong, active parishioners at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota. After a brief but noteworthy career in local radio, television, and advertising, she devoted herself to raising their twelve children. Gerrie was very proud of her Irish Catholic heritage which she embodied by her unceasing commitment to her personal cornerstones of faith and family. Together, she and Mike created a warm home filled with prayer, traditions, celebrations, storytelling, and laughter. She especially loved to host large holiday and birthday gatherings surrounded by her children and grandchildren, to whom she passed on her faith, her love of family, and her best recipes. Gerrie was a dedicated family historian who enjoyed discovering and documenting her Irish ancestry. She was an avid reader, a gifted baby whisperer, and a prolific knitter, often gifting her 20 grandchildren handmade mittens on Christmas morning. She demonstrated great strength and faithfulness when faced with challenges, reminding us often to “just say a prayer”.  Those who survive her will miss her warm voice and gentle smile, and will treasure her example of how to live a simple and selfless life in an extraordinary manner. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Mike; parents Robert and Lenore Tierney, sisters Mary Jo Collins and Jan Troy, and brother Mike Tierney. Survived by loving children Michael, Patrick, Margaret Nell, Greg, Mary (Allen) Medini, John (Lori), Tom (Kelly), Terry, Sean (Becky), Daniel, Ed, and Anne (Brian) O’Keefe. Cherished grandmother of Michael, Maria, Elizabeth, Katherine, Emily, Cashel, Margaret, William, Jessica, McKernan, Lucy, Tierney, Jonathan, Thomas, Frank, Patrick, Tynan, Alexis, Ella, and Adeline. Also survived by brothers Bob (Peck) Tierney, Pat (JoAnn) Tierney, and Jim (Deb) Tierney, brothers-in-law Ted Collins and Phil Troy, sister-in-law Sue Tierney, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Monday, October 9 at the Church of St. Peter, Mendota (1405 Sibley Memorial Highway, St. Paul, MN), with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Mass will be livestreamed here. Private interment at Resurrection Cemetery.

. Private Burial Resurrection Cemetery. Please check back for full obituary.