Geraldine Horwich

 Geraldine “Geri” Horwich, 99, formerly of West Lafayette, IN, passed away on April 26, 2026 in Spokane, WA. She was born on December 29, 1926 to the late Mary (Cooper) and Abraham Lessans. Geri was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, George Horwich in 2008, and her eldest daughter, Ellen Beth Horwich in 2012. She is survived by three children, Karen (Marty) November (Spokane, WA), Rob Gurevich (Sparks, MD), Susan Horwich (Brooklyn, NY), and her adopted daughter/ niece Janice Ceresnie (Ching) Liang (Naperville, IL). She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Maia November (Kyle Chavez) (Los Angeles, CA), Ilana November (Brenden Eade) and Evi November (Spokane, WA), as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Geri was the youngest of four siblings raised in an immigrant Jewish household in Baltimore, MD.

Geri’s independent spirit and interest in art was rebellious and radical. Throughout her life she pursued art, creative writing, and design. In her youth she enrolled in classes at the Baltimore Art Institute.While her peers focused on floral still lifes, Geri painted a portrait of a radiator. She was the first member of her family to go to college, and graduated from Goucher College in 1947. After her studies, Geri moved to the South Side of Chicago, to the shock and dismay of her parents. She enrolled in graduate school at the University of Chicago, and met George in a chance encounter on the beach. They were engaged weeks later and settled in West Lafayette in 1956, where she lived for sixty years.

Most importantly, we remember Geri as unwavering and unvarnished, with a sharp wit and as a kind and loyal friend to many. Her artistic sensibilities and passion for modernism were reflected in every aspect of her life including the architecture and landscape of her home. Geri considered her neighbors as family, and there was always room at the table for more guests, even strangers. She had an outsized impact on people, leaving a legacy and love of museums, art, clothing, nature, and healthy food, but not without ice cream and chocolate. 

There will be a graveside service at the Sons of Abraham Cemetery in Lafayette at 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Contributions can be made in Geri’s memory to: Greater Lafayette Holocaust Remembrance Conference P.O. Box 3763 West Lafayette, IN 47906, glhrc.org