Geraldine (Geri) Fortino Wilson passed away peacefully on July 29 th with her husband by her

side.

The funeral service will take place at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Wednesday,

August 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Father Rudy officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary

Cemetery on Hillcrest Road in Hollister. A reception will be held at the home of Phil & Vicki

Fortino following the burial.

Geri was born in Columbus, Kansas, to Mary and Jim Fortino on August 17, 1943. She moved

with her family to Hollister when she was 4 years old. Geri attended Sacred Heart Elementary,

Palma High, and San Benito Jr. College before earning her bachelor's degree and teaching

credential at Fresno State. She taught grammar school for several years until a summer job at

Leatherback changed her career path. She worked at Leatherback until it closed in 2007. Geri

then returned to teaching, working at San Andreas School until her retirement.

Geri was an enthusiastic sportswoman who loved competition. She was part of a bowling team,

a tennis team, and played softball. Geri also enjoyed kayaking, hiking, and skiing with her

husband, Bill. Besides playing sports, she loved watching professional games and was known to

place a bet or two.

Geri is survived by her husband William (Bill) Wilson of Hollister; her stepdaughter Karen

Stenger (Dieter); stepson Ken Wilson; grandchildren Amy and Jenny Stenger; sister Ginger

Guerra (Joe); niece Victoria Passalacqua (Richard); nephew Michael Guerra (Jennifer); cousins

Philip Fortino (Vicki), Phyllis Fortino (Gino; deceased), Teresa Scherpinski (Ken), and many

beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Geri was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Jim

Fortino; her brother Dominic Fortino; her sister Eugenia (Genie) Flores; and stepson Raymond

Wilson.

Memorial donations can be made to Stuff the Bus or The Imagination Library through United

for San Benito, 440 San Benito Street, Hollister, CA 95023.

Geri was a caring, kind, and considerate person who will be greatly missed by everyone who

knew and loved her.