Genevieve Gard

Genevieve, whom everyone called Gene, of Northglenn, died January 7, just a month short of her 97th birthday.  She and her husband Leo, deceased, had five children: Vivian Harvey (Larry), Edward, deceased, (Debbie Johnson), Gary (Nancy Schneider), Glenn (Lachlan McCuinn), and Lee (Karen Wishart), six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Gene spent much of her life in Chicago and its suburbs before family health issues compelled them to leave for a better climate. A pioneering spirit took her family to Grand Junction, Colorado, and later to the Denver area.  To help keep the family afloat she babysat for children too young for school and took in ironing while raising her own family.  Through all the ups and downs she maintained a delightful sense of humor and was game for almost anything.  She loved to celebrate such things as Vivian earning her masters degree and son Eddy’s 300 bowling score and Gary’s finding a fossil while on a museum dig.  She and Leo traveled to celebrate Glenn’s Peace Corps assignment in Samoa and Lee’s graduation from the Naval Academy.

There was more travel for them as they loved taking trips with tour groups to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand and other destinations.  She used knowledge gained on these trips to give special presentations at Northglenn Junior High School where she volunteered for many years. That volunteering satisfied her long-time desire to be a teacher. Students there called her “Grandma Gene” as they eagerly waited to see what Grandma Gene brought today for a bit of show and tell of some wonderful piece of foreign cultural.

Being a Colorado Rockies fan came naturally to her since she and Leo never missed watching or listening to the games.  Family would often join them, especially on Sundays.  Other sports were also on her watch list (Broncos, Avalanche, Nuggets and pro golf and tennis) but nothing could amp up her enthusiasm like the Rockies.

Gene was strong, courageous, caring, loving, intelligent, fun, genuine, and proud - so proud - of the family.

Gene and Leo were together for sixty-one years in marriage and now together for eternity.

Memorials in Genevieve's honor can be made by calling Habitat for Humanity at 1-800-HABITAT (422-4828).