Monday, December 29, 2025
Gen
She had the strongest Christian faith of anyone I know or ever knew. That faith kept her happy and enduring in the face of the deaths of her husband, Joe, only son, Joseph, and beloved granddaughter, Chelsea, all of whom were very accomplished people during their lives. Chelsea was a rising star in the foreign service of the US Commerce Department. She was murdered by a terrorist suicide bomber while she was on assignment in Sri Lanka. The anti-Christian bombings occurred throughout Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, 2019.
A long life is a blessing, but it carries with it witnessing the loss of family and close friends whom you survive along the way. Genevieve always expressed confidence that she would be reunited with her loved ones in Heaven one day.
Genevieve was 10 years older than me and was “drafted” into being my baby sitter shortly after I was born. My mother had two other small children at the time and called on Genevieve to help. That formed a bond between Gen and me that lasted our entire lives.
Gen was a recent guest at my house on Mother’s Day this year and was an invited Christmas guest. She and my wife, Theresa, and our three children also formed a bond of love and friendship.
We shall miss Genevieve. We look to the promise of the Resurrection to be reunited with her and all those we love once again.
Bruce Franzese and family