Geraldine Blanche Douglas freed herself from mortality and went into the beauty and splendor of what lies beyond on Nov. 26, 2015.Aunt Sugar entrusted me to eulogize her; she told me to write from the heart and tell a good story. I believe she best summed up the story of her own life in a conversation we shared two days before she died. She told me she began as Geraldine, namesake to her mother's sister. In her childhood she was Geddy, a sister, cousin and friend. When she went to school she decided Geddy was a childish nickname and wanted something more grown up, so Geddy became Gerry until she discovered that's how the boys spelled it. Gerry quickly became Geri, one "r" and an "i "at the end, which she felt was more sophisticated. When she joined the workforce she knew Geri was much too informal, so she became G.B. The last three names bestowed upon her were the most meaningful, most fulfilling: Mom, Aunt Sugar and Grammy Sug. She said they were her legacy. Mom, Aunt Sugar and Grammy Sug filled her with immeasurable love and filled her soul.

Geraldine Blanche Baldwin Douglas lived her life with grace, humor and dignity. She was her own best cheerleader and biggest fan. Geraldine was gracious, generous and grateful. Geri was a true friend of the heart to so many different types of people, whether you knew her for a few minutes or for decades.

Her father George "Dana" Blanche preceded Geddy in death, as did her mother Hildrith Hanson Blanche; brothers Robert E. Blanche and Fred E. Blanche; and sister Anne B. Whitman.

When you were with Aunt Sugar, she helped you feel the brilliance of your own spirit and will be dearly missed by her husband, Carl Douglas; son Dana V. Baldwin; sisters Frances B. Duncan, and Charlene B. Skene; brother Carton W. Blanche; and sister of the heart Carol Johnson; as well as her many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins and friends.

An intimate burial is scheduled at The Forks Cemetery in Manchester. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, One Church St., Augusta. (Central Maine Newspapers 5/14/2016)