Olean and Allegany, New York, communities are mourning the death of beloved native and longtime teacher, coach, and former athlete Geraldine Rae Lacney.
Geraldine Rae Lacney passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, at The Pines of Olean, where she had been residing since March. Lacney was 72.
Born on March 1, 1953, in Olean, as one of five children to George Russell and Madeline Rae Dougherty Harrington, Geraldine was a cherished member of the New York sports community and touched the lives of numerous young athletes with her remarkable coaching skills.
Also known as Dene, Gerrie, and Coach, Geraldine graduated from Limestone High School in 1971.
While in high school, Geraldine excelled in multiple sports, excelling in basketball, volleyball, and softball, and led the girls’ basketball team in scoring for three years and was selected as the most valuable player each year.
She further continued her athletic career attending the University of Findlay in Ohio, where she excelled in basketball, volleyball, and softball.
Geraldine was one of Findlay College’s outstanding women athletes of the 1970’s, a campus leader, President of Delta Zeta Sorority, student gocernment and class officer.
She lettered two years in volleyball, four years in softball, and basketball. One season’s basketball record for her team was 14 wins and 1 loss, and she also had an undefeated softball season.
Furthermore, Geraldine became the first female inducted into the Findlay Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982 for her exceptional collegiate athletic career.
Additionally, Geraldine was named to the Sports Hall of Fame for Allegany Limestone school as well as the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame.
Geraldine Lacney Also Played Basketball Professionally For a While
After graduating from the University of Findlay, Geraldine played professional basketball with the Arkansas Lassies from Ionia, Michigan, for a brief period of time in the 1970s.
Likewise, Geraldine played on several amateur softball teams and won a national championship, and was the first woman to run in the Kane, PA marathon.
Although Geraldine didn’t continue to play as a professional player after earning her master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia, she began her career in teaching and as a coach.
She taught health and physical education and coached all sports at her alma mater, Limestone High School, as well as New York High School and Allegany Limestone Central School.
Even after retirement, Geraldine continues to coach at Bradford Area High School, touching the lives of numerous athletes.
Beyond her coaching journey, Geraldine enjoyed playing pickleball at the YMCA and was a member of Our Lady of Peace parish in Salamanca and faithfully donated to many charities over the years.
Geraldine leaves behind her two brothers, Frank (Linda) Harrington, and Jerry (Kimberly) Harrington, both of Limestone, and many loving nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Phillip Harrington and Richard Harrington.
Her family has organized a funeral and memorial service for the late Geraldine Lacney on Sunday December, 28, 2025, from 4-7 PM at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11 am in Our Lady of Peace Church in Salamanca. Fr. John Trela will be the celebrant.
Burial will be next to her parents in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Limestone.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or to the SPCA of the donor’s choice.
