GENEVA MACDONALD

07/27/1928 - 08/22/2022

Geneva MacDonald was born on July 27, 1928 to Joel and Ivy MacDonald in Houston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Craig (Hap) Fulgham, as well as siblings Maxine Davidson, Margery Berndt, Elizabeth Silverthorne, Patricia Merrill, and Ian MacDonald. She is survived by her daughter Mary Patricia Fulgham, son Joel Henry Fulgham, son-in-law Randy Keen, and granddaughter Ivy Rose Keen.

Known as Jenny to those who loved her, she grew up with her siblings in Angleton, Texas during the Great Depression, under the watchful eye of her mother Ivy as well as her grandmother Emily Fletcher and Uncle Steve Smith. The siblings were first generation Americans being raised by an English family who had emigrated from West Essex in England in the 1890s.

Jenny graduated from high school early and received her Bachelor’s degree as the first ever female Journalism major from Sam Houston State University at the age of 19. Later that year she married Hap Fulgham, a jazz drummer who toured nationally with big bands. The couple settled in Houston where Hap became a member of the symphony.

Jenny worked as a secretary for Jesse H. Jones, (then Mary was born), Bellaire bank president Jack Witte, (then Joel was born) and Bellaire lawyer John Dobler. Next, she took a pay cut to become an English teacher. She taught at Jane Long Middle School where she published the school newsletter called the Lariat and taught journalism and English. Then she taught IB English at Lamar High School. After Hap died, Jenny spent three summers completing a master’s degree in Santa Fe, New Mexico at St. John’s College. She spent the last part of her teaching career teaching IB English at Bellaire High School until her retirement in 1993.

Throughout her life she was a writer. She wrote her first public poem during the third grade, whereupon her teacher identified her as the class poet. While never published as a collection, her poetry comprises seven packed binders of indescribably wonderful material. Many individual poems were printed in magazines, journals, and short works of all kinds. She also entered and won many contests, especially the annual Poetry Society of Texas contests. In 2014, despite struggling greatly with dementia, she was able to win the Therese Lindsey Award, which is their top prize, as well as about eight other awards.

In addition, she had three published books. The first is a murder mystery which takes place among members of the symphony and is set backstage at the old Music Hall in Houston. Her chosen title for this was Discordant Death, but the publisher prevailed upon her to name it The Murder Sonata, as they felt that her term would not be understood. This was published under her penname Frances Fletcher.

The second is co-authored with her sister Elizabeth Silverthorne. Women Pioneers in Texas Medicine details the lives of many of the early heroes of the medical profession and was written in honor of their grandmother Emily Fletcher who served as a midwife throughout the region after emigrating to Angleton. Jenny did all of the interviews and stories about women in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, such as our famous Dr. Huda Y Zoghbi.

Her third book titled Wit and Wisdom Needed in the Classroom was written to encourage young teachers just starting out, and it is filled with just what the title suggests. Although now dated by a lack of technology, it contains wonderful insights about the personal relationships between teachers, students, parents, and administrators.

Jenny was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, or Church of England as her family called it, most recently at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in southwest Houston. She also belonged to the Mystery Writers of America, the Houston chapter of the Texas State Poetry Society, Poet’s Ink, and the Houston Rose Society. She was a loving and supportive sister, wife, mother, and grandmother to her family. Her kindness and generosity with her time were appreciated by all who were touched by her. She is greatly missed. We are deeply grateful to Kathy Giles and the wonderful caregivers at Heritage and Silverado for their compassionate care.

A celebration of life service will be held on September 24th, 2022 at 2:00pm at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 9600 South Gessner, Houston, Texas 77071, with a reception following.

Donations to honor Geneva’s participation and passion for poetry can be made via The Poetry Society of Texas PayPal account at this link – https://www.paypal.com/ paypalme/pstexas

Please enter the note: For Geneva Fulgham Memorial

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CarePartners Dementia Day Center at https:// carepartnerstexas.org/donate/ (Choose “Restricted” as donation type and “In Memory of ” “Geneva Fulgham” as Type of Tribute.) Donations may also be mailed to CarePartners at: 3838 Aberdeen Way, Houston, TX 77025, Attn: Development Department