Gerine Minnette Mackey
Gerine Minnette Mackey, known as Geri, passed away peacefully in her home on May 15, 2025. Geri and her sister Jackie were born September 9, 1962, to Ceila and Jack Lorts in Norwalk California.
From an early age Geri was adventurous, whether it was performing with her parents or cooking up mischief with her sister, Geri was determined to succeed in everything she did. When the girls were 11, Geri's family relocated to Douglas County Oregon. Geri attended high school at South Umpqua Highschool and graduated from Canyonville Bible Academy in 1980.
Geri's first love was musical theater, she attended college at Southern Oregon University and Umpqua Community College, where she studied theater. Geri spent many years active in UACT community theater in Douglas County. She also participated in and won many karaoke contests and spent several years in the choir at Roseburg First United Methodist Church.
In 2002 Geri and her children relocated to The Dalles, where she called home for the rest of her life. She was active in recovery programs for the first many years. She worked at Dennys, where she was well known for her wonderful service and community connections. Geri was a tender-hearted woman with a deep, deep passion to see equality the world. She was an advocate for women, LGBTQ, the homeless and countless other persecuted persons and groups. Always clad in dresses of pink, purple and tye dye. Geri never missed a festival or gathering, but she was always the happiest when she was rooting for her Niners. One of her greatest joys was watching NFL 49ers football with her children and grandchildren, especially her grandson Timmy with whom she even got to attend a game, a lifelong goal.
Geri is survived by her children, Ashara, Aubrey, Olivia, Portia and bonus children Ronald, Drew, Brendon and Margaret, her mother Celia, and her sisters Jacqueline and Virginia, as well as her grandchildren Kendra, Malachi, Jestina, Jeremiah, Jemini, Timothy, Alyson, August, Bennett, Atticus, Celia, Kaydence, Skylar, Carson and Zoey. She was preceded in death by her daughter Alyssa, husband Bill and father Jack.
A lover of music, theater sports and community, but most of all her family, Geri will be missed beyond words. Her love, passions and legacy will live on forever in her children and grandchildren for generations to come.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 31, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at The Dalles First United Methodist Church, 305 E. 11th Street, The Dalles, Oregon. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.