Geraldine N. Lash, 91, a fifth-generation Alexandrian, died Feb. 12 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Arlington of respiratory failure.
Geraldine Amanda Nalls was born to Carr Leonard and Ellen Regan Nalls on Nov. 19, 1915; she was the second of seven children. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1932 at age 16, and married Anthony Remigius Lash, also a fifth-generation Alexandrian, in 1933. They built their frame house at 2920 King St. where they raised eight children and lived for 60 years until his death in 1996.
Mrs. Lash was active in numerous charitable and social organizations while she raised her family. She was a co-founder and president of the Alexandria Lioness Club, active fundraiser for Community Chest, Alexandria chairman for the United Givers Fund and active in the Alexandria Hospital Auxiliary Board and Alexandria Garden Club, to name a few. She was also an avid contract bridge player.
During the Truman administration, Mrs. Lash was secretary to the head of the White House Detail of the U. S. Secret Service. After her children were raised, she worked many years as a legal secretary for Paul Lyne Delaney, a prominent Alexandria defense attorney.
Because of her interest in Parliamentary procedure, she became a registered Parliamentarian whose clients included the Teamsters' Union, National Organization for Women and Ikebana International; she served as Parliamentarian at two of Ikebana's Kyoto, Japan international conventions. She went on to teach parliamentary law and was a resource for many organizations.
Geraldine Lash was loved by her family, treasured by her friends, and valued by her employers.
She is survived by her eight children: Mary Esther Gaines of Arlington, Anthony R. Lash Jr. of Portland, Ore., Rose Ellen Cunningham of Orange, Ca., Geraldine Amanda Lash of Burke, Thomas N. Lash of Arlington, Judith Marie Lash of Orange, Ca., Carlyle M. Lash of Arlington, and Jonathon C.D. Lash of Annandale; 20 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Lillian Wise, Marian Welsh, Lucille Bashore and Louise Faunce; and her brother Edward Nalls.