On January 19th the world lost a beautiful, loving, generous soul. With great courage and dignity, Geraldine Torbet lost her battle with cancer. She leaves behind her loving husband of 46 years, Walt Torbet, 4 children (Hugo, Elizabeth, Jessica and Eric), and 3 grandchildren (Michelle, Tyler and Andrew).

Gerry and Walt had a miraculous romance.They met in the south of France while on separate holidays, and they wrote to each other faithfully for 3 years. Walt finally had the good sense to get on a plane to Holland to marry his bride in 1960, and the two of them resided in sunny California.

Upon Walt’s retirement in 1995, he delighted Gerry with the home he found for her on Orcas Island. Here she spent her happiest years planting a beautiful garden, and taking walks in Moran State Park with her dog Chava. Many good friends came to visit her in her kitchen. She was well known for her culinary delights, and her dinner table was a place of refuge for family, friends, and neighbors. People came to her table not only for food, but for her warmth, cheerfulness, and insanely good sense of humor. She laughed a lot, and had arms big enough to embrace all who knew her.

She will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank Dr. Shinstrom and his caring staff at the Orcas Family Health Center for all of their support during these past few painful months. Donations to the American Cancer Society.