Geraldine Hockman

Geraldine Hockman (aka “Geri”), 90, of Forestville, MD went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 8th, 2025. She was born at home in Fort Foote, MD which is now known as Fort Washington, MD.

She married Don Hockman before she graduated from high school just before he was drafted to the Korean war. At first, the school officials did not allow her to continue her education due to her marital status. She challenged the decision with the school board and won her case. Geraldine was part of the first graduating class of Suitland High School in 1952.

Upon graduating high school, she followed her husband to Orange, Texas, while he was serving his country in the military. Geraldine was determined to find employment and pounded the pavement in search of a job. No one would hire her because Southerners had quite the disdain for Northern Yankees. Despite the difficulty in her job search, she was unrelentless. A quick phone call made by a new contact she had met at her last stop landed her a highly coveted job as the Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools.

After being in Texas for three years, she returned to the East Coast and worked for the Dept of Health and Education and Welfare as a Stenography Secretary for ten years. Later, she also had a short stint at the Department of Commerce. For recreation, she enjoyed participating in dance competitions through Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio during the 1960’s. She danced onstage at Carnegie Hall at an International Dance Contest. She received trophies for the tango as well as for ballroom dancing.

She enjoyed her career and competitive dancing in her earlier years, but she decided to put all of that aside for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. The doctors told her that she would never be able to have children, but she proved them wrong. She made many untold sacrifices to have and to raise a family.

Geraldine loved animals – especially dogs and owned many during her lifetime. In her later years, she was particularly fond of the Keeshond breed and owned three named Tori, Toby and Kibby at different intervals. She can be described as woman that was both “feisty” and “spunky” and she did not hesitate to call you out or put you in your place at exactly the right moment that was needed. Geraldine will be remembered for her very expressive facial features as well as her body language which was at times very comical.

She is survived by her children; Michael, Lisa Curtis, and Christina Rodriguez (Justin); Grandchildren, Kerry Curtis, Richard Curtis, Emily León; Great grandchildren Kimberlee and Kylie. Geraldine is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Don of more than 71 years, her parents Paul and Annie Mae Dalton and siblings Clinton Dalton, Charlie Dalton, Kathleen Baxter, Naomi Baxter and Doris Glosser and granddaughter Tiffany Dugas.

The family will receive friends at Lee Funeral Home, 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, MD 20735 on March 19th from 11am. The Funeral Service will be held immediately following the viewing. Burial will be held at a later date at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.