Genevieve Hennessey Smith
Wallingford — Genevieve (O’Hara) Hennessey Smith of Ashlar Village, Wallingford, passed away Sept. 3, 2017, surrounded by her devoted family.
Married and widowed twice. Wife of James M. Hennessey of Middletown for 34 years, and Robert F. Smith of Waterford and Ashlar Village for 25 years. Survived by James V. Hennessey and his wife, Katherine, of Needham, Mass., Barbara (Smith) Day and her husband, Nick McGray, of Oxford, Mass., Robert F. Smith Jr. and his wife, Doris, of West Haven, and Richard D. Smith of East Haven. Five grandchildren, James M. Hennessey and his wife, Laura, Ian T. Hennessey and his wife, Beth, Patrick W. Hennessey and his wife, Emily, Justin Day and his wife, Heather, and Heather (Smith) Jaser and her husband, Tarik. Three great-grandchildren, Julie and Jack Hennessey and Nyla Jaser.
Gen was a lifelong educator and graduate of Saint Joseph’s College in West Hartford. A specialist in early childhood development, Gen taught several generations of primary school students over 32 years in the Middlefield Public School System. She was a vocalist and musician, serving as choir director and organist at Saint Colman’s Church in Middlefield.
She was a member of the Middletown Square Dance Club and became an accomplished teacher, caller and cuer of the art of square dancing and round dancing all around New England. She also performed with the Silver Steppers at Wallingford’s senior center.
Genevieve enjoyed traveling and, with her husband Bob, was a member of Travelers Woods in Bernardston, Mass.
Her family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, in The Yalesville Funeral Home, 386 Main St., Yalesville section of Wallingford. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, from The Yalesville Funeral Home when the funeral cortege will proceed to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Road, Yalesville, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Portland.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to the Masonic Charity Foundation, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT. 06492. For online condolences or directions, visit www.yalesvillefh.com.