Geraldine Oliverie Hennicke is a 1981 Jackson Graduate and earned her AAS from Ocean County College. She then pursued her childhood dream of becoming a funeral director and enrolled in American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services and graduated with honors and as class vice-president in 1984. She was licensed by both the State of NJ and the National Licensing Board in 1986.
She then pursued a bigger dream of owning her own funeral home and opened her first funeral home, Oliverie Funeral Home in Lakehurst in 1987. In 1988 she also managed Shore Memorial Funeral Home in Pt. Pleasant Beach until it sold. In 2000 she opened her second funeral home in Manchester Township.
Geraldine married Michael J Hennicke who is also a licensed funeral director and co-owner of their businesses. They have three children, Marissa, Licensed Funeral Director, Bridget, MD, and Michael currently a Junior in Fordham University NROTC.
Geri, is the nickname she is commonly known by, is a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association. She is a member of the NJ State Funeral Directors Association, & current Treasurer of the Monmouth - Ocean Funeral Directors Association. Member of the National Funeral Directors Association and serves on their Scholarship Committee and also a Pursuit of Excellence recipient since 2014. An OGR member, Order of the Golden Rule, Community Award Recipient twice, 2015 & 2019. Geri is also a Certified Celebrant and the 2020 American Funeral Director of the Year and 2021 Order of the Golden Rule Golden Light Recipient for Professional Excellence.
Geri was honored with the Women of Distinction Award by the Jersey Shore Girls Scouts for her community involvement and she was also honored as the Humanitarian of the Year from the American Cancer Society, and served on the Monsignor Donovan PTA as President & was the recipient of their Giving Tree Award. She currently is serving as a board member for the St Joseph’s Century Club. . She annually volunteers to build on a project with Habitat for Humanity with NFDA all over the country. Geri was honored with the prestigious Jackson Alumni Hall of Fame Civic Award in October 2006 from her alma mater.
Geraldine is an active supporter of her community. She has her Annual Flu Clinic in September, Annual Blood Drive in April & sponsors the Manchester Little League, is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Co. and is a Platinum sponsor for the Lakehurst Fleet Reserve #124 Summer Olympics and also, a Platinum sponsor for Manchester Day. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1992. Geri also is a major sponsor of the Children’s Memorial Garden in the Winding River Park, Toms River that the Compassionate Friends of Toms River Maintain.
She was elected to the Lakehurst Borough Planning Board and she was elected Council Woman for the Borough and she was elected to the Board of Education. She is very active with the Lakehurst-Manchester Rotary Club, a member since 1988 she has held many positions. She is a Presidential Citation recipient from District 7500, & she is a District 7500 Service Award honoree and a Rotary International Paul Harris Honoree and also an International Benefactor.
Geri's new venture with her family, is the additional Life Celebration Funeral Home located in Jackson to be completed in Spring of 2021. This will have a banquet facility, store and café for a completely new funeral experience. For a total immersion into one's life as you once knew them.