Genevieve Ann Perrucci

Gen grew up in the western part of San Jose, attending Trace Elementary, Hoover Junior High, and Lincoln High School. Although they lived less than two blocks from each other on the same street, Gen did not meet her future husband, Don, until 1953 at the iconic Mel’s Drive-In, when a car full of girls invited a car full of boys to a Halloween dance, and a life-long romance began. They married in 1956, and raised their three children on a fruit ranch in the Evergreen area. In 1976, Gen and Don built a new family home in the Los Gatos foothills. Having a keen eye for interior design, Gen loved picking out the furnishings for the new home and a few years later, for their winter home in Rancho Mirage.

Gen was a sports fan. During the early years of their marriage, Gen and Don attended many college football games… Stanford, San Jose State, Santa Clara, and SCU basketball games. Then, as season ticket holders of the Warriors and the 49ers, attended hundreds of pro-games. 49ers home games at Candlestick Park meant tailgating in the motorhome with cousins, Jerry and Jo’ann O’Connell, and all of the kids.

During their 65 years of marriage, Gen and Don travelled the world together. They visited more than 30 of the 50 United States. And, when their children were young, there were many family trips to Palm Springs, and motorhome trips throughout the western United States. Some of her favorite destinations were Hawaii, Australia, the South Pacific, Mexico, all of Europe, and many trips to Italy. Gen was particularly fond of bringing their three children, and most of their grandchildren, to Italy to visit the four towns that their Italian grandparents came from. One extra special trip was in 2003 when they rented a villa in Tuscany for six weeks and took the kids and grandkids on a private tour of the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel.

In recent years, travelling was reduced to winters in Rancho Mirage, and summers in Los Gatos. In either home Gen loved entertaining. From impeccable table settings to fabulous food, every dinner was special. In keeping with her Italian roots, Gen was a terrific cook. From pasta and meatballs, to polenta and every Italian delicacy in between, Sunday family dinners at Grandma Gen’s house were legendary.

Gen was very fond of elephants. Her extensive collection includes many that she acquired while travelling.

Gen was as beautiful inside as she was outside… she was a loving, generous, kind-hearted person who always put others before herself. Gen was greatly loved by her family and friends, and will truly be missed, but not forgotten by all of those who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Don; sons Andy (Julie) and Gregory (Erin), and daughter Kristin Deacon (Troy); grandchildren Tony (Lauren), Kaela Chang (Timothy), Alec, Paulina, Jason, Britney Hilliker (Riley), and Bailey Ramirez (Joaquin); great grandchildren Harrison, Luca and Evan.

A luncheon celebrating Gen’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday October 15, 2021. RSVP to [email protected] for location information.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (www.nationalmssociety.org).