Geraldine "Gerri" "Skip" Baum

Geraldine  “Gerri” “Skip” Baum passed away peacefully May 27, 2024 in Barrington.  She was born June 28, 1942 in Chicago to Ladislaus and Mary (nee Cap) Valek.

Gerri graduated from Marquette University’s College of Journalism, wrote “copy” for in-house advertising at Sears, and later contributed as a Technical Writer at CSC in Texas as part of the Space Shuttle program, as well as Northrop and Motorola, Inc in Illinois. Later Gerri completed her Master’s Degree from the Adler University in Couple and Family Therapy which she put to good use counseling those facing divorce.

Geraldine believed in many causes: supporting the higher education of American First Nation children, feeding children around the world by helping starving families start their own sustainable resources and providing clean water medical supplies to those in need. In later life, as a Sister of Providence associate she joined the Illinois Women Religious Against Human Trafficking committee to Prevent, Protect, and Prosecute those traffickers preying on Youth particularly in our High Schools.

She was the loving mother to her son, Joseph Baum (Lisa); and daughter Mary-Elizabeth Beavers (Douglas). Beloved grandmother of Dr. Amanda Baum-Wagner (Dr. Thomas Wagner), and proud Great-Grandmother to Ryan Wagner.   Gerri was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard C Baum (2018); mother,   Mary B. Valek; father,  Ladislaus Valek; and sister, Maryann (and Brother-in-Law Joseph) Contino.

Memorial visitation will be from 10am until the funeral mass at 11am Saturday, June 15 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 N. Ela Street, Barrington.  Interment will be private.

Memorials in Geraldine’s name in the form of donations to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, World Vision, or Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods would be appreciated.