Geraldine Reeve

Portsmouth, RI ? Geraldine Sylvia Reeve, 90, of Russett Road, where she lived with her daughter and formerly of 2032 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, died Thursday, May 3, 2007 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. She was the wife of the late Frederick G. Reeve. Born in Little Compton, RI on May 10, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Jerry and Alice Howard Sylvia. Mrs. Reeve became the director and secretary of the Rhode Island Horsemen?s Association in 1959. In 1969, she was elected president. During this time, she also became involved in the New England Horsemen?s Council. She served as prize list editor from 1966 to 1973, and then as secretary from 1973 to 1998. Gerry received her American Horse Shows Association steward?s license in 1968 and started stewarding at shows when she wasn?t serving as secretary. Gerry?s most significant contribution to the New England show circuit is her role in the development of the New England Equitation Championships. In 1987, Gerry donated a scholarship to the championships to be given in memory of her husband. At the 1997 championships, Mrs. Reeve was honored for her outstanding contributions to the sport. The board presented her with the Marty Simensen Lifetime Achievement Trophy for the person whose made a lifelong contribution to New England horse showing. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Ann Larsen of Middletown, RI, two grandchildren Stacey L. Ferguson of Portsmouth, RI and Bryan P. Sullivan of Jamestown, RI, and her niece Mary L. Waite of Camden, ME.She was the sister of the late George H Sylvia. Her funeral will be held on Monday, May 7, 2007, at 11:00am, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Monday morning from 10:00 ? 11:00am, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New England Equitation Championships Committee, C/O Robert Crawford, 401 Colonial Drive, Apt. 48, Ipswich, MA 01938