Help the Helpers: Expenses and Support for Geri

Hi, my name is Christine, and I am using this fundraiser to help cover the final expenses for Geri Reyna and to assist her husband, Larry, with the costs he has as a disabled veteran.

Humanity took a big hit the morning of Saturday, August 13, 2022, when Geri Reyna was in a vehicular accident and lost her life.

Geri was a Taos Pueblo Indian and loved her people dearly. When Geri saw a shortage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse clinicians to serve the Native American population, she became a Counselor to help the people lacking necessary resources. Geri provided care to a vulnerable population for her entire adult life - and the people Geri served loved her deeply. My heart is especially with the Native American community now because she was an angel who fought and advocated for quality care for her people for 42 years. Geri is described by the people fortunate enough to work with her as "the matriarch," "strong leader," and "second mom." She defined the meaning of perseverance, resiliency, and strength.

Geri is survived by her loving husband, Larry, and many loving family members, friends, and people she served in her long career. Geri worked at Eagle Lodge in Denver for 19 years as a Counselor and Director, ensuring the Native population had quality care. When Eagle Lodge was closed, Geri came to Denver CARES - a community detoxification/withdrawal management facility. In her role at Denver CARES, she was the Charge Counselor most often and the glue that held everything together. Geri received numerous awards and commendations for her service to the community. She loved fishing, camping, and the outdoors. Geri connected with nature and animals - she would come to work after time in her beloved mountains and regale us with animal stories. She named all the forest creatures. Here are a few; Burrito Bob the Squirrel, Bubba the Bear, Wiley Coyote, Banana Bill the Chipmunk, and a Stellar Jay she nicknamed Larry because of his talkative nature.

Now, to mention Geri without Larry would be wrong. Larry is the love of Geri's life. They spent 26 and a half years joined at the hip, and to hear Geri speak of Larry; you would think he is Superman. Laurence "Larry" Yaklich served eight years in the Marines - working in an Intelligence Unit with The First Marine Amphibious Brigade, was a Commanding Officer Driver, and enjoyed driving the Deuce and a Half, Jeep, Five-ton truck, and an amphibious vehicle named the Gama Goat. He has degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Information Systems Security, and he worked at QWEST as a Senior Design Engineer and Coach. He is one of the toughest dudes I know. He is a disabled Marine and will need support over the coming days, weeks, months, and likely years.

Larry thought it was important to state: "Geri was a caretaker of people; she had the biggest heart. She was known for helping others, only asking for a smile, and to pay it forward, and help someone else. Geri and I were hip-locked for 26 and a half years, and unless she was on the Reservation, we were together. Geri got her Social Work degree because she felt there were not enough people with knowledge of Native American culture in the counseling field; obtaining her degree in 1980 and has been working with people in need since then. Geri never got calloused or burned out in her work; it was her goal in life to help others. She loved people fiercely, but she also loved her Ford. Our mechanics and I did whatever we could to keep it running, safe, and leak-free. She was the best fisherman I ever knew; she loved fishing, camping, and going to the mountains. It was Geri's way to de-stress and care for herself with the demands of her work and living in the city. Geri and I were camping for five days before the accident that cut her life too short; we had been looking in the mountains for a small piece of property to put a 5th Wheel or small house on to live out our lives when she retired - that was supposed to be December or January."

There are so many who will mourn this loss, and I request that if you have something to spare to assist Larry with this tragic time, it would be so appreciated.