Amherst, Geraldine (Gerri) ”Dian” Schackert, 70, passed away on June 21, 2018 with her family at her side in her home in Amherst, MA. Gerri was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 6, 1948. She was the daughter of the late Norman and Lillian Heffelfinger. 

Gerri lived in many different places throughout much of her life before settling down in Amherst, MA for the last 16 years. She made friends easily with all different types of people, loved to laugh and joke with family and friends, always quick with a wisecrack, and would help anyone she met if she could. She loved tending to her gardens as long as she could, her two cats (and many other beloved pets throughout the years), baseball, the Boston Red Sox, and feeding others a meal whenever she had the chance. 

Gerri is survived by her loving companion of nearly 25 years, John Woynar.  They chose to build and live their life together and she will be deeply missed by him. Gerri is survived by three of her children, Lori, Robert (and his wife Kim), and Pete McKamey (and his wife, Kati). She was predeceased by her daughter, Kimberly McKamey. 

Gerri also raised her three grandchildren as her own children, Jesse McKamey (and his partner Cassie), Randy Valdez (and his wife Lauryn) and Jacquelyn Valdez. She is also survived by her six other grandchildren, Tykia (and her husband Levin), Trevon, Taliyah, Robby, Kayla, Gavin and Luke. She also had six great grandchildren – Amir, Koby, Mason, Brielle, Savannah, and Sevin. Gerri was proud of and loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all of her family. Gerri’s many friends will also miss and never forget her.