Gerlinde "Jeri" (Poethig) Bachli

Gerlinde “Jeri” (Poethig) Bachli, 77, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 22, 1943 in Berlin, Germany to the late Hans and Charlotte (Kopka) Poethig, Gerlinde was proud of her German heritage and her ability to speak the language fluently. Gerlinde dedicated her entire career to the care of the elderly and the bereaved.  She started the Active Older Adults program at the Springfield YMCA and then went on to become a leader at the Greater Springfield Golden Age Club. She was a former director at the South Hadley Council on Aging and also at the American Inn for Retirement Living. Gerlinde then obtained a nursing home administrators license and worked for West River Hospice. After her retirement, she proudly completed her PhD in bereavement counseling from Phoenix University, using her achievement to help those affected by grief. With her vast knowledge of hospice, she was instrumental in helping to open Harmony House. She continued to share her immeasurable support and ongoing efforts even throughout her own illness. An accomplished artist, she specialized in stained glass paintings.

Gerlinde was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Willard Bachli, Sr. in 2010. She leaves her children: Willard Bachli Jr. and his wife Christine, Suzanne Bachli, Tamera Accorsi , Tiffany Bachli and Heidi Hevey and her husband Joseph; her fiancé of 10 years, Robert Hall; her grandchildren: Willard III, Peter, Emilly, Gina Marie, Paul, Jr., Troy and Kylie along with many other family members and friends.

Private services at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date. Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony House WMA, PO Box 6135, Holyoke, MA 01041 or online at www.harmonyhousewma.org.

To express online condolences, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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