Dr. Geraldine P. (Palo) Grant-Aceto

Dr. Gerry Grant of New Salem and formerly Bradenton FL, and Warrenton,
VA, passed away, Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Mt. Macrina Manor in
Uniontown with her daughter at her bedside.
She was born December 29, 1933 in Republic, the daughter of Charles Palo
and Josephine Benucci Palo. Gerry was a member of the former Holy
Rosary Parish, and recently was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman
Catholic Church, Uniontown.
Gerry graduated from Redstone High School, and her first teaching job was
in the Brownsville School District in 1966. She worked in the school district
for approximately 24 years, serving as teacher, counselor and curriculum
coordinator. She earned a Master’s degree in education from California
University in 1971 and a Doctorate degree from WVU in 1988. Gerry left
the district and branched out, working at California University of
Pennsylvania as an instructor and adjunct professor, the Intermediate Unit I
as a curriculum specialist/supervisor and then Saint Francis College as an
adjunct professor before moving on to Forest Hills School District (near
Johnstown), as the district’s Assistant Superintendent. In 2000, she returned
to the Brownsville Area School District as Superintendent. Her 37-year
career in education came full circle in the same district from which she
graduated and the same district in which she launched her career in
education. She retired from Brownsville in 2003, leaving the district with a
positive fund balance and grants for the high school/middle school project
secured and construction in progress.
In 2003 she was awarded the Robert Flynn Memorial Award for
Distinguished Service from the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision
and Curriculum Development and a Certificate of Appreciation from the
Pennsylvania Department of Education for dedication and years of service to
children of Pennsylvania. She was named to Who’s Who of American
Women for accomplishments in Education and was the feature presenter for
numerous educational conferences at the local and state level including
being a coordinator in the PA Governor’s Schools of Excellence. She was a
member of Phi Delta Kappa, numerous educational organizations and an
executive board member and past president for the Pennsylvania Association

of Supervision and Curriculum Development and Chair of their Scholarship
Committee.
Gerry was a true educational trailblazer and advocate of her students, with a
real affection for the Brownsville Area and its residents. She was proud of
her community and strived to make it a better place to live and work. Even
with all her professional achievements, Gerry’s family always felt her warm
love and support. Her sisters, children, grandchildren, and extended family
around the country were her top priority and Gerry took great pride in their
lives and accomplishments. With busy schedules and everyday life, anyone
who knew Gerry would say that she was always there with a smile, hug and
great advice for any situation.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alfred G. Grant, her son
Alfred G. Grant, Jr., her sisters, Anna Marie Nuccetelli of Republic, PA,
Mae Beals, of Centreville, VA, Norma Jean Portaro of Louisville, KY, and
by her second husband, Vincent (Jim) Aceto, of Bradenton, FL. Left to
cherish her memory is her daughter, Natalie Grant Sharpe and husband
Gregory of New Salem, PA, daughter-in-law, Cynthia L. Grant,
granddaughters, Cara Brooke Mumford and husband Jason, of Ocean Pines,
MD, Nina G. Mayers and husband Matt of Norwalk, CT, Tara G. Polvinale
and husband Daniel of New Salem, Maria G. Redman and husband Donald
of Venetia, PA, and Alexa G. Sharpe of Henderson, NV, great grandchildren
Wyatt Mumford, Ava and Ivy Mayers and Francesca and Henry Polvinale,
other nieces, nephews and cousins and countless friends over three states.
Friends will be received in The Skirpan Funeral Home 135 Park Street
Brownsville, PA on Sunday evening from 5-8PM, Monday from 2-4 and 6-
8PM and on Tuesday until 10:15AM where a Prayer Service will be held
followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM at St. John the Evangelist R.C.
Church - Uniontown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, there is also a Memorial Fund in Gerry's name with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please use the following link for your donations. https://raise.stjude.org/ggamemorial

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