Gerri Deyak was a lot of things to a lot of people, but most importantly, she gave a voice to those who didn’t have one. As the founder and president of Sampson County Friends for Animals, which she started over eight years ago, Deyak’s passion for animals set the standard for all those who will follow in her footstep.
The dynamic lady, best known as simply Gerri, died Saturday at the age of 71. She had cancer.
But the life she led and the enduring legacy that will remain is a testament to her efforts and the love she had for not only the people of Sampson County but the animals she dedicated much of her life to.
Friends say they are doing the best they can to cope with the loss of the woman who was a “true” friend and the “driving force” behind Friends for Animals.
“You know she went into the hospital to get her leg checked out,” said longtime friend Judy Shepherd. “They gave her antibiotics ... then we found out she was really sick ... it was just a week ago when she was sitting up in the hospital, talking and just being Gerri. Then, just like that, she was gone. We realized how sick she was and it was really hard, but what was totally unexpected was the speed of it.”
Shepherd said she and Deyak grew close over the past five years. She was, Shepherd remembered, instantly drawn to her feisty attitude.
“For a lot of people, they found her to be a difficult person to get to know,” she said, “but that wasn’t really the case. When I met her, something just clicked with us. We just found something in each other that we just really got along great together. I just thought she was a great person and a unique individual. She will be missed by a lot of people. For me, she was a great person, a great friend, and I am going to miss her deeply.”
Another longtime friend, Keith Jennette, feels that pain, too.
“I lived across the street from her for the past 27 years,” he said, “and what I really respected about her was that she was really devoted to the things she was involved with. She was in the VFW, the Women of the Moose, and a lot of other organizations and, of course, the Sampson County Friends for Animals. She had a great way of tying all of those together.”
Jennette said the two had gotten closer over the last couple of years. “Her husband, Joe, passed away a few years ago, and since then, I would go check on her and just sit and talk with her or stop by just to say hello. I was lucky enough to get really close to her over the last couple of years. I really thought a lot of her — I am really going to miss her.”
“She got things done,” said friend Tom Wilbur. “Especially for the Friends for Animals. We got involved with the organization back in 2005 and the reason why was because of how impressed we were with Gerri. She was aggressive when it came to the animals because she cared so much for them.”
Jennette agrees.
“Besides being a wonderful person, her legacy will be the Sampson County Friends for Animals,” said Jennette. “We are going to keep moving it on with what she intended it to be, a place to help animals get spayed and neutered.”
“We will move on with it for her,” said Wilbur. “There is no reason why we can’t.”
“We are going to continue it for her,” added Shepherd. “And hopefully, we can make her proud of us. We are going to do the best we can do ...”
While the group says they will continue to keep the organization running, including Angel Food Ministries and the SCFFA Thrift Shop, for now, they are doing their best to remember the woman who brought so much joy to their lives.
Not surprisingly, Deyak, who leaves behind a son, a daughter and three grandchildren, left one final gesture to be remembered by — she requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Sampson County Friends for Animals.
A friend to the end indeed.
To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 139 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.
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