Genevieve Stella Golec

Genevieve Golec (AKA: Grandma, Babcia, Aunt Gen, Gennie) was born on October 12th 1924 in Kolbuszowa, Poland. Her Polish, and maiden, name was Genowefa Fryc. She immigrated to the United States of America with her parents (Michael and Julia Fryc) and sister Stella in 1932.

Their journey across the Atlantic to reach Ellis Island, NY by boat was an arduous one and Genevieve remained adamant about her dislike of the ocean for the rest of her life.

She married Wladislaw (“Walter”) Golec in 1944 and they happily drove one another crazy for nearly 67 years until his death in 2011. They had two children, Michael and Diane, and raised their family in Detroit, Michigan. Genevieve and Walter’s marriage was an extraordinary partnership that saw many joys, and also withstood many hardships like his service as an airman in WWII, and the loss of their son Michael (at just 31 years old in 1978).

In a time when it was unusual for women to have full time careers Genevieve worked at the Federal Reserve Bank for 35 years before retiring. She started out, as she put it, “sorting money in the basement” and was eventually promoted to the Personnel department where she excelled in managing others (and throwing legendary company parties). When the opportunity arose to further her education later in life, she returned to school and earned her Associates Degree in Commerce from Henry Ford Community College at 57 years old (in 1981).

She was passionate about family, Polish cooking, bingo (gambling in general), and telling stories from her colorful life. She passed away peacefully on August 24th 2024, just eight weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She is celebrated by her daughter and son-in-law Diane and Pat Schutz, grandchildren Eve Hansen and Gabrielle Schutz (and their respective spouses Levi Hansen and Andrew Murdock), great granddaughter Aurelia Hansen, her nieces and nephews, as well as countless extended family, friends and neighbors.

Over a lifetime of almost 100 years she drew a large and beautiful community to her with quick wit, generosity, and openness. Anyone who came to her door walked away with a laugh, a story, or food (often all three). She was brave, eccentric, and deeply loving. The ripples of her joy continue to spread beyond her life, and while her gambling luck never brought her the jackpot, anyone pulled into her orbit was a winner. We invite you to celebrate this extraordinary lady with us by attending the service (details below), or donating in her honor to a scholarship fund (information below).

Funeral Mass: October 12th (10:30am)

At St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Palisade, CO

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the linked fund which will be donated to the PRCUA (Polish Roman Catholic Union of America) to create a scholarship in her honor: Genevieve Golec Scholarship Fund (https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/97A7NvqZ3v)