Sidney Loses a Gentle Leader

The news came like the whisper of a hurricane. The friend, supervisor, co-worker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother had died.

Geraldine "Geri" Anthony spent her life among people. She was known for her more than 50 years with the City of Sidney; most of that time in the Clerk's office.

She died Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the age of 73.

Her passing leaves behind friends and former co-workers in sorrow.

"She hired me 20 years ago," said Kim Phillips. "She took a chance on me and here I am 20 years later."

Phillips describes Geri as fantastic to work for, not only a great boss, but a friend.

Co-workers also described her as kind and respectful.

"She had a big heart," said Lori Borchert. "She was always very respectful to customers and employees. We're going to miss her a bunch; a hard lady to replace."

Cindy Heilbrun, who replaced Geri upon Geri's retirement as City Clerk and Treasurer, is one of the longest employees to work for Geri.

"Geri hired me 40 years ago," she said.

Heilbrun came to the City, then left for a time before being hired back. She said Geri brought her from cashier to where she is now as clerk.

"She had two families," Heilbrun said, "the City staff and at home. She considered all of us her family."

She describes Geri as a force behind the scenes, one who made sure everything kept working.

City Manager David Scott agreed. He describes her as patient and sweet, one who will be greatly missed. He said she was in charge of finances when he was hired as finance director. She taught City finances and much more, he said.

"The lessons she taught were more than just [city finances]," Scott said. "She was one of the best teachers I've ever had."

The City's human resources director, Jo Houser, recalls meeting Geri about 44 years ago, and working with her for more than 30 years. She describes her as a woman with the kindest, best heart, someone who never got angry. She was a co-worker, but more importantly, she was a friend.

"She was a very giving, easy-going person," said Candy Benzel. "She had a ton of knowledge."

Benzel said she was a very committed employee.

She referred to city staff as family as well. It was the family support, at the job and at home, that kept her going through one of the most difficult challenges in life: her diagnosis of lung cancer. At the announcement of her retirement in September 2019, she gave credit to her office family and her home family for supporting her. Employees describe her as easy to love because of how she showed love to those around her.

"She was always thinking of others," Benzel said.