Gerri Cobb

Gerri Cobb, 97, of Spokane, Washington passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Ahadi Family home on January 8, 2026. A service will be held at Riplinger Funeral Home on January 31, 2026 at 1:00.

Gerri was born in Spokane on March 14, 1928 to Frank and Lucy Turley. Along with her older brother Charles, she was raised in the city that was her lifetime home. After graduating from North Central High School, she obtained her BA degree in Education from Eastern Washington State College (now Eastern Washington University).

Gerri met the love of her life, Donald Cobb, while obtaining her degree in college. They married on June 26, 1948 and after graduating, they both embarked on a career in education. While Don was working at the high school level, Gerri touched the lives of hundreds of children she taught over her more than 35 year career at Dishman, Audubon, and Finch elementary schools.

Together with their children Sherri and Tom, Gerri and Don took advantage of the school system’s summer breaks by spending time outdoors, either at the many nearby lakes or while in Hawaii. Eventually they bought a small lake cabin on Twin Lakes, Idaho so they could enjoy summer breaks on the lake with friends and family.

When Gerri and Don retired together in 1987, they increased their travel, often staying the month of July at the Coeur d’ Alene Hotel (always room 1740), the month of February at the Outrigger Waikiki in Hawai’i, on various cruises, or traveling to other destinations in Europe or Australia.

Throughout their marriage of 55 years, Gerri hosted many delightful and colorful parties in their home and helped organize and chaperone many school events together with Don. The two of them had a love story for the ages, spending most of their time together, enjoying life to the fullest.

When Don passed on September 13, 2003, Gerri started a scholarship fund in his name, which helped fund many Spokane students’ paths into college.

She is survived by her daughter Sherri (Mike) Donlon, son Tom (Lois) Cobb, and grandson, Sean. She is also survived by her niece Vicki (Don) Gorder and nephews, Ty (Rochelle) Cobb and Terry (Kathy) Cobb, and also great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.