Geraldine Schilling-Nordal

February 4, 1935 – June 7, 2026

On June 7, 2026, Geraldine Schilling-Nordal died at the age of 91. She was the daughter of Robert Milton and Helen Veronica (Ewald) Schilling. She was born on February 4, 1935, on a Monday in Springfield at 8:00 a.m. Her mother Helen taught in Agawam in 1919-1920 in a one room schoolhouse and later subbed in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Robert, her father, worked for the Boston and Albany railroad and ultimately retired from The New York Central Railroad as Commissary Purchasing Agent for their Realty Hotels – Biltmore, Barclay, Park Lane and Commodore. Geraldine graduated from Immaculate Conception Grammar School in 1948, she danced and sang in their yearly school Minstrel Shows with Richard Curran. Her leisure time as a youth was spent at the Neighborhood House now known as the Boys and Girls Club. The property abutted her home. It was there that she learned to ice skate on the natural rink that formed right in her backyard. She graduated from West Springfield Junior High School in 1949, and West Springfield High School in 1952. In high school she was on the Prom Committee, Yearbook Staff, Deft Diving Club, Library Staff, Student Counsel, Mock Prom Committee and Theta Chi. The family resided in West Springfield for twenty-five years before moving to Agawam in 1960. It was during her younger years that she was introduced to the adventures of traveling, and she continued that adventure her whole life. She traveled extensively in thirty-five countries in the following areas: Europe, Asia, Scandinavia, the South Pacific, Orient, North America, Central America and the Caribbean and has been over the Artic Circle, Equator and International date line several times but she has never flown. In 1956 at Boston University, she received a Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Art Education from the College of Fine and Applied Arts and a blanket certification from the State of Massachusetts to teach. In 1957 at Boston University, she earned a Master of Education with a Major in Art and Minor in Guidance from the School of Education.

Geraldine was very generous with her time and talent and was a volunteer and a member of many various committees in the town, always willing to support any event.

In 1966 at the age of 31 Geraldine met the visiting young man next door Reidar Johannes Nordal from Aalesund, Norway and they married 10 years later. They have been married since 1976. Together they shared their love of traveling. Geraldine was fond of animals and on a windy day her neighbor’s cat flew into her house as a tornado passed by and he never left. She had many interesting memories of Mo like the time he stopped traffic crossing the street with a snake in his mouth! Mo was also fond of climbing the ladder when Reider was working on the roof.

By marriage Geraldine leaves her family Nephew Rolf Hofgaard and wife Liv of Hafrsfjord Norway and their children Caroline and husband Skyler Goodnight in Davall, Washington. Martha Elise of Oslo Norway and Eric Michael Norway. Nephew Peter Hofgaard and Greta of Oslo, Norway and Nephew Michael Nordal and wife Holly of Camano Island, Washington sons Ben and wife Nicole of Issaqush, Nick and wife Nicole and their son Parker of Naples Valley. Nephew Steven Nordal and wife Collett of Camano Island, Washington and their daughter Rondi of Seattle, Washington. Niece Karen Goodnight and husband Keith of Snohomish, Washington, their children Dustin and wife April and their children Ella Rose, Elias and Eathan James of Edmonds, Washington, Tyler and wife Brittany and their child Riley of Snohomish Washington and Chase and his wife Melissa Goodnight. Niece Leslie McDaniel and daughter Kelly of Lake Stewart, Washington. Bonnielea Stebbins of West Willington, Connecticut and children daughter Danielle Quinlan of Litchfield, Connecticut and son Kellan and Nathan Stebbins and wife Barbi of Mansfield, Connecticut and their children Adam, Derek and Max. Cousin Judi Jasholka and husband Paul of Lady of the Lake, The Village, Florida and cousin Laurine Serrano and husband Nelson of Springfield, children Louis, Anthony and Joel. Friends: Sister Geraldine Noonan (Holyoke), John and Cathy McKenna, Lynda Dalla Pegorara, Paula Raichie, William Donovan, Harry Camyre (Agawam), Bob and Kathy Baker and Jane Hardina Franklin, a life-long friend in West Springfield and godchild Karen Carrara of Hampden Beach New Hampshire.

The family is very grateful for the care and kindness shown to Geraldine by the staff of the Atrium and Brookhaven Hospice.

Remembrances in Geraldine’s name may be made to Shriners New England Hospital for Children or the retirement fund for the Sisters of St. Joseph Springfield.

Calling hours for Geraldine will be held on Sunday June 14 ,2026 at The Agawam Funeral Home 184 Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts. Family and friends will gather on Monday June 15,2026 beginning at 830 A.M. And proceed to Sacred Heart Church 395 Chestnut Street in Springfield for a 10:00 A.M. liturgy of Christian burial followed by committal services at the new St. Williams Cemetery in Ware, Massachusetts. She will be buried in a plot adjacent to her parents and grandparents on a spot she used to play on with Patricia Rollar her friend. Patricia was killed nearby by a drunken driver at 10 years of age and buried very close by. The tree Geraldine planted is still standing on her grandparents’ adjacent former property.