Geraldine "Gerry" Joanne (Kelble) Caraveo

Geraldine “Gerry” Joanne Kelble Caraveo, age 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at The Retreat in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She would have been 92, on February 26, 2021.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Raymond Joseph Caraveo, and her son, Raymond William Caraveo (Bonnie Wheat).
She is survived by her daughter, Anita Caraveo Brown (Gene); two grandsons, Aaron Brown Caraveo (Amy), Nathan W. Brown; and granddaughter, Suzanne Pebley (Michael). She had five great-grandchildren: Gabriela Caraveo, Rylan Brown, Jay Brown, Mason Brown, and Keara Pebley Weiner.

Gerry was born in Xenia, Ohio, on February 26, 1929 to parents, William Emmet Kelble and Mary Irene Wilson Kelble. She lived most of her childhood in Xenia, Ohio and graduated there from high school. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles, California, with her widowed mother. It was there by chance that she met the love of her life at a church dance, Raymond J. Caraveo, a lieutenant in the Air Force. On February 28, 1947, Gerry and Ray eloped to Yuma, Arizona, and their married life began.

Gerry enjoyed arts and crafts, flower gardens, her African violet collection, her pets, walking and jogging, worshipping at the Kirtland Base Chapel and participating in church activities with the members and the women of the church. For several years Gerry volunteered at different libraries in Albuquerque. She also was a Yoga Instructor. She and her husband rode bicycles and hiked many national parks. Gerry loved music and dancing, and The Retreat enjoyed seeing her have fun.

Geraldine was a “military wife” for 22 years. She and her husband lived and traveled the United States and overseas. They settled in Albuquerque, NM and lived there for 48 years. In 2010 they moved to Rio Rancho, NM.  Raymond passed away in 2013 from Parkinson’s disease. They had spent several years after his retirement traveling in motor homes around the U.S. and boasted they had been to all National Parks in the U.S. but two.

Geraldine had a long life. She will be missed and remembered by friends and family. A private viewing was held on Friday, February 5, 2021 at FRENCH – Westside.

She and her husband’s matching urns are in a niche at Sunset Memorial Park in the Autumn Wall.