Marguerite (Geri) Cox Stell Bartlett

Marguerite “Geri” Cox Stell Bartlett (1948–2025) Marguerite “Geri” Bartlett died on August 16, 2025, at the age of 77. A beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, granny (or “granzers”), daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend, Geri was born on July 11, 1948, in New York, NY, to Edward and Marguerite (“Peggy”) Stell (neé Cox). She grew up in Cleveland, OH and later made her home in Middletown, NY before she escaped the cold to St. Augustine, FL, where she lived for twenty years. At Pine Bush Elementary, Geri was an innovative and dedicated kindergarten teacher, bringing creativity to her classroom every day. When one year, she and her kindergartners raised ducklings, the ducklings imprinted on “Mrs. Bartlett” and followed her around (to the great delight of the children). In the classroom and at home, Geri was an inventive and truly funny wordsmith. Her students practiced vocabulary words in their classroom discussions, where drinking glasses were “beverage receptacles”; at home, curlicues were “fringlies and sproinglies.” A favorite exclamation was “giant ratlets!” Geri had a quick wit and total joy at life’s absurdities. Her to-do lists were, she would say, longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls. They even included drawings so that Jeff, Ed, and David (her husband and sons) would occasionally follow directions. She loved to “Dance with Sara,” with her dance family and her amazing friend, Sara. She relished the occasional jump-scare, a glass of Pinot Grigio (sometimes with ice cubes), and coffee was her friend. Family was her favorite place to be. It is a cliché to say that she adored her grandchildren—but it is true. She was so proud of Avery, Maxwell, Alexander, and Jack and of the people they are all becoming. Her stepmother, Jean Stell, and her sister, Barbara Prunty, were at the center of her orbit and thoughts. She shared with them a love for music, theater, and culture. She fit in with the New Hampshire Bartlett clan, too: she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to teasing Jeff, and as one of her sisters-in-law put it, she always “seemed” to be delighted to try something new up in New Hampshire, even though she hated the cold. With all of her family, she spent hours around the dinner table talking about kids and grandkids and laughing to tears. Her 55-year marriage to Jeff was a partnership marked by devotion, humor, and grit. Their bond was unbreakable. Geri and Jeff loved to travel, especially spending time in New York City, and they shared many trips and adventures with their close friends, the Chumards. Geri is survived by Jeff; her children, Edward and David and their spouses, Robyn and Emily; her grandchildren, Avery, Maxwell, Alexander, and Jack; her sister Barbara and brother-in-law Wyatt, and their children Ian and Heather (and their families); her Bartlett sisters-in-law Kate, Sandy, Joan, Sue, and Betsy; and a wide circle of in-laws and friends who will miss her and her warm heart. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Stell, her biological mother, Marguerite Stell, and her stepmother, Jean Stell. There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled by anyone else. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marguerite’s honor to the ASPCA. A service celebrating Geri’s life will be held on Sunday, September 14th at 3 pm at St. Johns Funeral Home and Crematory, located on 385 SR 207, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Marguerite (Geri) Cox Stell Bartlett

July 11, 1948 - August 16, 2025