Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Life story | Little River couple lived to help others

On Sept. 1, Gerry Poinsett died in Little River. Less than five weeks later, her husband, Larry Poinsett, died too.

For those that knew the couple, the stories of generosity abound.

Their life goals in Little River were to relax and golf. But after decades of public service in New Jersey to high school students, they just couldn't stop helping others.

"They've given so much to the community they've lived in," Vicki DiFabio, a close friend of both said. "They were always looking out for others first, always trying to help someone."

DiFabio would know. She lived down the street from the couple for 27 years in New Jersey, and when she packed up her things and moved south, the couple followed soon thereafter.

They quickly integrated into life here, getting involved in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Gerry Poinsett began work as a guardian ad litem for disadvantaged children.

But for most of their time, they just spent it together with their friends.

"After 50 years, they were still in love with each other," Rita Munn, a close friend in their Tidewater neighborhood said. "And you just don't see that any more."

Their daughter, Mellody Gordon, described them as totally different people. While her father was a "very stoic man with a dry sense of humor," her mom "could walk into a room of strangers and make them all love her."

The couple's lives in New Jersey were devoted to public education. Gerry Poinsett taught business education and work study classes, while Larry Poinsett was a teacher, principal and school administrator.

Last month, over 100 former students came together to celebrate the lives of the couple and their legendary generosity.

"My mom's students would invite her to their weddings and baby showers, and they confided in her when they couldn't confide in anyone else," Gordon said.

When various students couldn't afford the price of a senior trip, Gordon said her mom would pay the costs out of her own pocket without ever telling anyone. And her father would often lead bread drives for poor people who couldn't afford food themselves.

Before their recent sicknesses, Munn said she was chatting with Gerry Poinsett at a party.

Poinsett looked weak, so Munn asked her what was wrong.

"And she told me she'd been taking care of Larry a lot and she was just tired," Munn said. "I told her she better take care of herself, but I knew she would be there for him first like she always was."