Mary Rebecca Isaac Small

January 13, 1921 - June 22, 2018

Mary Rebecca Isaac Small was born in Colon, Republic of Panama to James Gilford Isaac and Georgiana Small on January 13, 1921. Mary became affectionately known as Geraldine or Gerry. She was educated in the Panama Canal Zone. Despite living in a latin country, her parents – who immigrated from Dominica (father), and Nevis (mother) – raised their family in West Indian culture. She was the fourth of five children. Her sisters, Eugenia (Gina) Garnes, Josephine (Josie) Acevedo, Dorothy Cockburn, and her brother Leonard Emanuel, preceded her in death. Gerry was a devout Episcopalian. She loved sharing very fond memories of Christ Church by the Sea in Colon. In Brooklyn, and later Long Island, she continued her worship in the local Episcopal Church. Upon the death of her mother, Gerry emigrated to her beloved New York. There, she joined her sister Josie in the New York hustle. Gerry enjoyed working. She shared many experiences of her tenure at Concord Fabrics, Gimbels Department Store, and even a nursing home. On August 14, 1963, she received a letter granting her United States Citizenship from then Governor, Nelson A. Rockefeller. Along with her love of New York, Gerry loved baseball. She loved playing baseball in her younger days. When going to the games, she would encourage her young nephew Carlos to cheer for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Her sister Josie was a Boston Red Sox fan. They’ve had plenty lively conversations about baseball. Gerry shared her sister’s passion for fashion. They were always well put together in fine fabrics and style that lasted the test of time. Gerry was especially known for her perfectly coifed big curly hairstyles. Well equipped with her sharp tongue, big hair, and stylish presence; she was very vocal about what she wanted, how she wanted things to be, and prepared to defend her stance. Her defiant attitude could only be matched by her sister Josie. After Josie’s death, Gerry spent time with friends in Long Island before moving closer to family in Philadelphia, PA. Although well along in years, Gerry’s strong personality affected all who had encounters with her. Whether it was her grocery list, style options, or medical attention, she made known exactly how things should be done. She leaves to mourn her sister-in-law, Iris Emanuel; nieces, Mamita Emanuel, Alicia Lewis, Elena Pascal, Virginia Ingram, and Carolina Wilson; nephews, Stanley Reese and Lois Emanuel, Mauricio Cockburn. Her nephews, Carlos Rattray and Fermin Cockburn preceded her in death. Also left to mourn are her 10 grand-nieces; 9 grand-nephews; 3 great grand-nieces; 5 great grand-newphews; and friends who became her family. Relatives and friends may pay respects on Thursday morning June 28th from 9:30-10am at the William A. Moore Funeral Home, 708 Fayette St., Conshohocken. Words of remembrance will commence in the funeral home at 10am. Interment will be at a later date at Amityville Cemetery in Amityville, NY.