Dean G Wey

Was born on December 5, 1923 in St. Louis, MO and died July 29, 2011 in Boynton Beach, FL. She was second oldest of eleven children born to the late Jim and Stella Cox Watkins. Those siblings still surviving are her brothers Tom (Tammi) Watkins, Alvin (Wanda) Watkins, Larry Watkins, and sister Paulette (Dave) Tucker. Siblings preceding her in death are her sisters June Beyreau, Georgia Palicz, and Mary Holland and brothers Jim, John, and Gary Watkins.

She married Peter Michael Genovese, Sr. of St. Louis, MO on June 27, 1941. From that union came the great loves of her life, her children, Peter Michael Genovese, Jr., Ellen Crawford, Marie Elaina Genovese Dunson, and Roger Dunson, Sr. Her grandchildren Sean Genovese, Karen Peitzmeier, Erin Genovese, and Pete Magsig, Meghan Genovese, Mark Royal Schroll, Jeffrey and Glea Kustermann, James and Christine Kustermann, Amy Dunson Alvarez, Daniel Alvarez and Roger Dunson, Jr.; her great grandchildren Tara, Linden, and Kathryn Kustermann, Grace and Jackson Alvarez.

When her husband, Pete, died after 25 years of marriage she became a young widow at the age of 43. It was her dear friend since childhood, the late Pearl Stabile Rittenhouse, who saw her through that time and joined her in the antics and travels that they would laugh about for years. Their friendship lasted until Pearls death in 2008.

In 1970, four years after her first husband's death, she married Charles "Chuck" Otto Wey of Litchfield, IL. They were married one month shy of 37 years before his death in November of 2007. Theirs was a life filled with family, travel, laughter, dance and song. Chuck brought to this marriage, his beloved daughter, Loretta Wey Feldman. She added to the joy in their life with her marriage to Neal Feldman and by bringing 2 more grandchildren into the fold with the birth of their 2 children, Ryan and Katelin.

Dean was a warrior. She fought for her place in life, never letting her beginnings determine her fate. Her strength and fortitude defined her and those around her. She fought for equal pay for women at her place of employment in the 1960's. She won that fight.

She was an adventurer. "Let's Go !" being the motto of her life. She explored the highways and byways of this country always looking for the next adventure over the next hill. At the age of 76 she went white water rafting to prove to her granddaughters that they could do anything no matter what their age. With her 80th birthday approaching she was told she could go anywhere to celebrate. She chose Alaska. So, she and 12 members of her family did just that. They went to Alaska.

She leaves behind to remember her smile, scores of extended family members and friends. With special smiles left behind for the ones who showed their love and concern in the waning days of her life.

We would like to send a special thank you to her doctors and her dedicated caretakers, especially the ones who treated her as family.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association to fight this disease in the same fashion she fought it, with a vengeance.

She will be laid to rest with her loved ones back home. No service will be held in Florida but a life time of celebration will be held in her honor. Hers was a long life. Not always an easy life, but a successful life. She was loved.