Geraldine Taylor Bradford entered mortality with her toes pointed, ready to dance her way through life. She was born April 10, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah to two accomplished educators and musicians, Henry Davis Bradford and Virginia Taylor Bradford. She was the oldest of 5 children and was a great example to Marilyn, Annette, Barbara and John. She studied ballet as a child with Jean Rene, and later traded the ballet bar and her pointe shoes for a scarf and modern dance with its creative choreography. She was a dreamer and could produce a fantasy through dance that placed her in many circles as a popular choreographer and expressive dancer. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1959 With a degree in Dance and and Physical Education where she participated in many productions on campus as a member of Orchesis and the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.
She taught Dance and Physical Education for several years at West High School where her father was once the Vice Principal. Many times she was sought after to choreograph production numbers for plays, church road shows or high school dance concerts.
Gerri fell in love with Rodney E. Russell, a commercial realtor who found the way to her heart was to take her out dancing. They married in the Logan LDS temple on July 10,1962. Three children blessed their lives, Russ, Patricia and Jennifer. Gerri found a great deal of joy in watching Russ’s interest in coaching ice hockey and studying Pharmacology, Patricia with her gift for languages and art, and Jennifer as an engaging talk show host and manager of high end restaurants. Later, her three grandchildren Spencer Russell, Zachery Russell and Lily Russell Thompson brought her life additional fulfillment as she watched their talents and pursuits emerge.
Gerri was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed family history and studying the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many missionary capacities throughout her life. She loved associating with her family, friends and neighbors. She was a member of The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and served as their secretary for several years. She also extended her love to her mother and brother John when physical disabilities altered their lives. Up until their deaths, she sacrificed and cared for their every need, as well as managing their affairs with deep devotion and love.
At the end of a life of service and creative expression, Gerri passed away on May 17, 2022 at the age of 85 with a firm love for her Savior Jesus Christ. Her family would like to thank Paul, Tracy and staff at the Sarah Daft Home for their caring attention and for her friends Mary-Pat and Ken who brought her many happy moments. We express our gratitude for the staff at St. Josephs Rehab Villa and the staff and hospice nurses at Truewood for the comfort and care they gave her as she slipped into the other side of eternity.
Gerri will be laid to rest in the Salt Lake City Cemetery with a Celebration of her life planned in June in the care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
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