Geraldine Carla (Francis) Caruss, 88, known as Jerry to all who loved her, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2022 with her youngest daughter by her side in Puyallup, Washington.

Jerry is preceded in death by her spouse, Robert Caruss, her parents and three of her siblings, Kay Francis, Donna Parish , and Ted Jones and survived by her brother Keith Francis. She is survived by five of her children and their spouses: Joseph and Kathy Longley; Deborah Root; Regina Cambio; Jennifer and Ted Andrews-Arico; and Daniel Longley. She is preceded in death by her son, James Longley, her great-granddaughter, Rosalee Cambio and her son-in-law Nicholas Cambio. Jerry, also known as Nana or Nana Carrots to her family, is survived by her 9 grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Jerry was born on April 13, 1934 in Tacoma, WA to Thomas and Lucille Francis. She grew up in Washington State, attending McKinley Elementary School and Lincoln High School. While she was in high school she would meet and fall in love with Joseph Eaton Longley who she met at the local roller skating rink. Joe was stationed in Washington before his deployment to Europe, and following their wedding, Jerry would move to Warwick, Rhode Island where she would go on to raise her six living children.

While Jerry would take on several jobs over the years including a cashier at Almacs, her focus was always on raising her children. She would eventually retire from a position at Pierce County Medical that she took on after she moved back to Washington State following her divorce. It was after her return to Washington, that she would fall in love with her childhood friend, Pee Wee, also known as Robert "Bob" Caruss, who she married and was wed to until his death in 1988 from cancer.

Jerry was a dedicated crafter and maker throughout her life though the medium of her art varied over time. She leaves behind a legacy of watercolors, handcrafts, sewing, carvings and other art that surrounds her family with memories of her gifts and how freely she shared them.

In addition, Jerry was an avid reader, bird-watcher, and loved to play cards at the retirement center. She was a cut-throat Tri-Ominos and Cribbage player, and had very strong opinions about politics, current events, and fashion, and was not afraid to share them. Some of her favorite activities included going for walks in nature, particularly to Mt. Rainier where she had been going since her childhood.

A celebration of life will be held on November 11th at 1pm at the New Tacoma Funeral Home chapel for the family followed by a short graveside service. There will be a gathering afterwards held at her brother, Keith Francis' home.

We request that in lieu of flowers, any remembrances on behalf of Jerry be sent in her name to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The park was a place that she volunteered for decades, and where she made the second largest private donation in the park's history at the time. The family would like to thank the Silver Creek Assisted Living staff for their compassionate care and support of our family through this challenging time.