Geneva Dufour Waters

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Geneva was born on the 13th of December 1927, in Simmesport, Louisiana, the fifth and youngest child of Eugenie Lacour Dufour and Joseph Orphils Dufour.

Her family moved to New Orleans where she was graduated from Sophie B. Wright School for Girls. She continued her education at Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans, directed by The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, where she flourished as a student in the profession that brought her great fulfillment. During her years in nursing school, she was recognized for her academic excellence, character, integrity and beauty. She was honored to be named "Most Beautiful" and to be selected for a semester of training at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Shortly before receiving her nursing degree, she was introduced to Peyton Donald Waters, who had returned to his hometown of New Orleans after serving his country during World War II, to complete his education at Tulane University. They were married on the 18th of September 1948, in New Orleans and made that city their family home for the next fourteen years. In 1962, Peyton's job transferred his family of six to Houston, Texas, which had been her home until her death.

Geneva's devotion to her Catholic faith and the Blessed Mother guided her throughout her lifetime, and it was her faith that became the template by which she lived her life and created a home for her family. Geneva was selfless, loving, kind, nurturing, generous, and compassionate, and her unconditional love for her family was unwavering.

She unfailingly put others before herself and consistently demonstrated sacrificial service. Her hospitality and generosity were legendary; everyone was greeted warmly and welcomed at her home--so much so, that no one ever left hungry or empty handed.

She loved her family beyond all measure, counted them among her most treasured blessings, and remembered them daily at mass and in her prayers. She glorified God by the way she lived her life, and her family is fortunate to have had her example.

Along with Peyton, she celebrated every event and milestone of each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. They were present at every baptism, communion, confirmation, wedding, birthday, dance recital, sporting event, spelling bee, presentation, and graduation ranging from preschool to medical school and law school. They were undeniably the biggest cheerleaders and their joy was infectious. They reveled in each success and accomplishment. Geneva and Peyton led by example and established a legacy of faith, love, and devotion to family and friends for all of their future generations to follow.

Geneva Dufour Waters was predeceased by her husband of seventy-two years, Peyton Donald Waters, Sr., her parents, three sisters and one brother.

She is survived by her children, Donna Waters Harris and her husband Joseph Denton Harris, IV, M.D., Peyton Donald Waters, Jr. and his wife Karen Kennedy Waters, William Joseph Waters, M.D., Elizabeth Waters Paterson and her husband Alan Gerard Paterson; her grandchildren, Lindsey Harris Massengale, M.D. and her husband Michael Christopher Massengale, Anne Reagan Harris Fibbe and her husband George Harold Fibbe, Emily Dunn Harris, Audrey Waters Loweth and her husband Justin Isensee Loweth, Peyton Donald Waters, III and his wife Mary Kathryn Benefield Waters, Catherine Blair Paterson Kessler and her husband Barry Robert Kessler, and Elliot Baass Paterson; her great-grandchildren, Denton Harris Fibbe, George Finch Fibbe, Anne Cullen Fibbe, Margaret Gray Sessions Banks, Charlotte Blair Loweth, Bannon William Loweth, Griffin Waters Loweth, Peyton Donald Waters, IV, Robert Paterson Kessler, Rhett Patrick Kessler and Anna Catherine Kessler; and her devoted caretaker and friend of over thirty-four years, Nereida Juarez-Garcia.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 20th of September in the Jasek Chapel and Parlor of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary, led by Reverend Leon Strieder, SLD, will commence at seven o'clock in the Jasek Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of Geneva's life is to be offered at one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 21st of September at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston.

(Kindly Note: Parking for the funeral mass will be located in the St. Anne Catholic Church parking garage,

which may be accessed off Westheimer Road and Kingston Drive.)

Immediately following the mass, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the St. Teresa Living Room.

The family will gather for a private entombment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Geneva Dufour Waters may be directed to The Most Reverend Curtis J. Guillory Endowment, for the formation of seminarians, 710 Archie Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.