Geraldine Mary Van Houten

Geraldine Mary Van Houten passed away peacefully at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington, Vermont, on April 15, 2023, after several years of failing health. Mrs. Van Houten was born Geraldine Scanlan in Nutley, New Jersey, to Charles Vincent and Minna (Fientel) Scanlan, on December 9, 1930. She attended Nutley High School (Class of 1949) and, after that, the Katharine Gibbs School. Prior to marriage, Mrs. Van Houten worked for a time in the secretarial pool at the Newark office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On October 5, 1957, she married Thomas Van Houten. To them were born four children, Thomas, Jr., Mary Lou, Gregory and David. The Van Houten family originally lived in Nutley, NJ where Mrs. Van Houten was an active member of the St. Mary’s Parish. The family moved to Ridgewood, NJ where she was a congregant at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The family lived in Ridgewood until after Mr. Van Houten’s death in 1987. Mrs. Van Houten then relocated to Leisure Village in Lakewood, NJ. Mrs. Van Houten resided at the Leisure Village for nearly thirty years, where she was befriended by many and with whom she shared lifelong friendships. Mrs. Van Houten is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou; her sons, Thomas and Gregory, and her granddaughter, Natalie Van Houten. Mrs. Van Houten was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Rev. Charles Scanlan; her sister, Lenore Orrange; and her son David. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Caregivers of New Jersey, an organization whose support allowed Mrs. Van Houten to live independently until almost the end of her life (https://njcaregivers.org). The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Filmore Pond, The Bennington Rescue Squad, and at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, for the thoughtful care they provided to their mother during the final stage of her life. A service of remembrance will be offered on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, Vermont.