Obituary of Geralyn A. Boccher
Geralyn Anne Boccher
February 5, 1957 – May 24, 2025
It is with heavy hearts we announce that Geralyn Anne Boccher passed away on Saturday, May 24th in West Orange, New Jersey. Geralyn was born in Teaneck, N.J., and raised in Plainfield, N.J., her home for life. At Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, Geralyn discovered her talent and passion for art and philosophy, the two fields she would pursue so successfully in college. A groundbreaker in many ways, Geralyn was the first woman in her family to attend college, and she was a member of only the third class at Rutgers College to accept women. She loved Rutgers and excelled academically, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with Highest Distinction in Philosophy and a double major in Art History in 1978. Her love of philosophy drove her to pursue law; she graduated from Emory University School of Law with her JD in 1981.
Upon graduation from Emory, Geralyn joined the esteemed Newark law firm of Meyner and Landis, founded by former N.J. Governor Robert Meyner and Edwin C. Landis, Jr., where she was among the firm’s first female associates. Early in her career Geralyn earned the praise and recognition from partners and colleagues alike. Geralyn enjoyed a successful career as a defense litigation attorney at Meyner and Landis and eventually became partner. She launched her own firm, Reiner, Boccher and Pollak in Morristown, N.J. in 1995. Later in her career, Geralyn also served as an employee defense litigator at Chubb & Sons in Warren, N.J.; of counsel to Jackson Lewis, LLP, in Morristown, N.J.; and in-house counsel at JP Morgan Chase. She was a member of the New Jersey Bar, the U.S. District Court for the District of N.J., and the U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit.
The Rutgers ”Scarlet” ran deep in Geralyn’s blood and she was an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of Rutgers women’s basketball, holding season tickets for many years. She also forged a long-term relationship with St. Bernard’s Church in Plainfield where she served as a parishioner and lector for many years.
Throughout her career and her life, her heart was always in Plainfield and the beautiful home she created for her and her daughter, Erin. Among her many talents was entertaining, and the extended Boccher family spent many a holiday, birthday, and anniversary celebrating at Geralyn’s home where laughter was always a staple on the menu. The smiles that are captured in many photographs of the happy times spent in her company were generated by her tremendously sharp wit and brilliant sense of humor.
As acclaimed as she was as a litigator, it was being a mother to Erin that provided Geralyn with her greatest joy and satisfaction. Their bond was unshakeable. They shared innumerable common interests including sports, (especially the New York Mets), love of animals, and travel which took them far and wide, but whenever possible included the Jersey shore at Cape May.
Geralyn was predeceased by her beloved parents, Edward A. Boccher and Rita M. Boccher; her sister, Mary Boccher; her brother, Edward J. Boccher; her brother-in-law, Tony Frost; and her nephew, Ryan Boccher. In addition to her daughter, Erin, Geralyn leaves behind nine siblings: Stephanie Frost, Daria Boccher-Lattimore, Peter Boccher (Kathy), Brian Boccher (Lisa), Gabrielle Boccher (Greg Stack), Paula Robertson, Robert Boccher, James Boccher (Kristen), and Danielle Boccher and 15 nieces and nephews. We are grateful for having had her in our lives, but she will be forever missed.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 5 from 5-7p.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, N.J. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 6 at 10a.m. at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church,
1235 George Street, Plainfield, N.J. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Doctors Without Borders @ give.doctorswithoutborders.org; the ACLU @ action.aclu.org/give/now or St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center @
sthuberts.org/donate to honor Geralyn’s commitment of giving to and supporting others.
