Geneva (Patranella) Morella

On February 2, 2026, Jesus came for Geneva (Patranella) Morella, in Bryan, Texas, as she was sleeping. She was 78 years old, born March 23, 1947, in Bryan, Texas, to Paul C. Patranella, Sr and Rosa Lee (Perrone) Patranella. She was their firstborn child, who lovingly cared for her younger siblings. She was the leader of the pack. Playing with her siblings she was always making up games for to play, like rock school. Great memories. In her childhood she learned a concern and care for others and a work ethic that guided her all her life.

Geneva is survived by her kind, loving, and generous husband Louis Morella, daughter Margaret Temple and her husband Joey who reside in Baton Rouge, and by her son, Sean Morella who resides in Houston, and by her grandsons, Brandon Temple and his wife Molly who reside in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Ryne Morella who resides in Houston, Texas, and her great grandson Dean Temple who resides in Bentonville, Arkansas with his parents.

Geneva is also survived by three sisters and a brother and their spouses, Rosemary and Michael Kickirillo, Jo Ann and Darrell Bairrington, Paul C. Jr. and Laura Patranella and Michelle and Robert Sanderson and numerous nieces and nephews and greats and cousins and her aunt, Mary Perrone. She is survived by her sister-in-law Josephine Gillar and her brother-in-law and his wife Sam and Nadine Morella and their families.

Geneva was preceded in death by her parents Paul C. Patranella Sr. and Rosa Lee (Perrone) Patranella.

Geneva was a life-long member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bryan, being baptized, confirmed, married and celebration of life, having received all of her sacraments at St. Anthony. And she was a member of the Altar Society.

Geneva dearly loved her husband Louis and her children, Margaret and Sean. Being with her grandsons, Brandon and Ryne, brought her great joy. And when her mother-in-law, Maggie, lived with her and Louis, she cared for her like she cared for herself. I remember her mantra of all skin deserves lotion and she administered it regularly for herself and Maggie. She loved giving gifts to her family. She also enjoyed sending gifts to them via FedEx. After all, it was urgent . . . , even if it wasn’t.

Geneva and Louis cooked the most delicious meals ever. It was a real treat to eat at their home. They hosted many St. Joseph Altars, an Italian Catholic Tradition in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings and honoring St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. For several years in a row, they invited guests for nine days in a row to join them in praying and feasting and socializing at their home on Freida Lane in north Brazos county.

Another time in Houston, Geneva and many in her family assisted at a St. Joseph Altar at a Catholic Church in the Woodlands. Father Frank was the ring leader and we loved him. He said we gave away 5,000 plates. (Sound familiar?) Her brother-in-law Michael was the most helpful to Geneva in this endeavor. After clean-up, Geneva and Michael were on their way to Houston to deliver pots and pans to a Catholic organization who had loaned them to us. This is so funny to imagine. As they are driving (not over the speed limit, of course) they heard a rattling in the bed of the pick-up, and Geneva looks back there and sees a pot rising like a vortex. Suddenly, a pot goes flying out of the bed and so they pull over and try to collect it off the side of the freeway (scary). Thank God it only had one little dent in it (so they say). Not sure how they remedied the problem for the remainder of the trip. Guess they slowed down.

She served as lector during mass at St. Anthony for many years. It was important for her to be there early and be familiar with the readings and share them with her friends and family. And at the same time feeling confident and especially looking pretty.

She was always first to sign up to prepare and deliver gift baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially at Christ the Good Shepherd in Houston, where she worked as an administrator. As Thanksgiving neared, she would negotiate with grocery stores to get the best price she could for turkeys and other dinner items. It was not unusual to help her unload a trunk full of turkeys she had bought.

As an avid homemaker, Geneva was hostess to many guests, serving delicious meals in her home. Once at a church benefit, her pina colada cake brought a $500 contribution.

She attended Blinn College in preparation for her Texas Real Estate Broker’s License and worked as a realtor for many years. During her real estate career, she repeatedly offered not to collect her commission or to give her commission back to her family who were selling a property. She had to be forced to accept it. It was difficult to give Geneva more than she would give another. Experience showed it was difficult to give Geneva more than she gave.

Wow. Church work. Family care. Generosity. St. Joseph Altars for others. Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets. And now realtor. She’s beginning to sound like the woman of noble character in Proverbs 31. Good for her. Actually there were times when she states she was in the presence of angels. Her daughter Margaret remembers two of these. The first one was when Margaret’s son Brandon, Geneva’s first grandson was born. He was placed in the NICU unit for seven days and when being discharged, Geneva commented to the discharge coordinator about a beautiful nurse named Bernadette who took great care of Brandon. The coordinator said “we don’t have anyone employed here by that name.” Geneva and Margaret were perplexed to find this out. The only logical explanation in their minds was they were convinced she was an angel who helped with Brandon’s healing.

Margaret also relates: Mom and I were at midnight mass in Denham Springs, LA at Immaculate Conception Church many years ago. While we were walking out after church, both of us noticed a very tall male presence whose skin glowed like honey standing against the wall between the 2 doors leading to the parking lot. He was not with anyone else, not socializing, planted there like he was watching over us. He was so stunning that after a few steps out the door I went back in to catch another glimpse of this beautiful being and he was nowhere to be found. Another angel perhaps?!? We thought so!

Two or three weeks prior to her departure, as she rested in her bed, and was speaking mostly in a tone that wasn’t understandable, she said “thank you Father” and her guest echoed “yes thank you Father” and Geneva smiled.

Many times, Louis talked about a magic room they had in their home. It was incredible. In the morning, Geneva would go in there, shall we say tousled or disheveled, and after a short time she would come out beautiful.

We’ve all prayed for healing for our dearly beloved Geneva, and now we believe that Jesus said, “I’ve got something better and her crown is ready.” And we give glory to God.

The family thanks God for the staff at Legacy and Brazos Valley Hospice for all their loving care, kindness and compassion.