Patricia Ann Genessy

Known for her big smile and her even bigger heart, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Patricia Ann Rhea Genessy, age 79, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, after living a beautiful and love-filled life.

Should anybody in heaven need a casserole, a kind word or laugh, they now have a sweet soul to turn to. They might have to wait a bit, though, as she enjoys a second honeymoon with her eternal husband, Tommy Ray Genessy.

To know this warm, genuine and caring woman wasn’t just to love her — it was to be loved by her. Patty was full of kindness and positivity. She saw the good in people, even in hard times.

She liked working at McDonald’s and the LDS Distribution Center, but her favorite job and biggest calling in life was being a mom. She deeply loved her five kids and their expanding families, supportively cheering them on and proudly bragging about them to anyone within earshot.

Patty is survived and treasured by her loving sons, Tommy Ray (Kristy) Genessy, Jr., Jody Scott Genessy and Kelly Shawn (Ane) Genessy; her caring daughters, Tamara Ann Saunders and Natalie Raelyn Genessy, a.k.a. her fellow “Golden Girls” who took good care of her at home before she moved to an assisted living facility; 13 cherished grandchildren, Kacey (Brandon), Shaley (Mark), Dakota (John), Riley (Makaila), Chase (Swan), Brady, Colby, Ethan (Emily), Sydney, Aidan, Remy, Jackson and Ellie; six sweet great-grandchildren (with a seventh on the way); and two of her beloved siblings, Linda Davis and Raymond “Buddy” (Eathel) Rhea, Jr.

Though saddened, her loved ones are consoled by her heavenly reunion with Big Tom, the love of her life whose photo she often clutched to her chest for comfort in her final months; her parents, Raymond LaMar and Vera Minnie Rhea; her youngest brother, David Scott Rhea; and many others dear to her.

Patty was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having been baptized in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at age 8. She and Tom were sealed together for all eternity with their first four kids in the Jordan River Temple on Sept. 11, 1982. Natalie, their baby, arrived the following year. She loved going to church and the temple, watching general conference and devotionals, reading gospel-related books, singing hymns and fulfilling ward callings.

She showed others how to be like the Savior she adored through her Christlike example. Her love came in many forms — calls, texts and posts; homemade meals, bread, suckers and chocolate chip cookies; handwritten thoughts in cards; messages and care packages to sons and grandsons on LDS missions and family living afar; gifts galore; hugs; visits with lots of laughter, listening and chatting; parties with multiple food options to please every palate; attending performances and games; and generous amounts of her time, energy, worries, tears, prayers and compassion. She wanted to be there for you and with you. She made sure your heart, stomach and hands were full.

After the unexpected loss of Tom in 2003, Patty courageously worked through grief as a widow. She collected Happy Meal toys and books. She became an avid reader, a fun scrapbooker and a big fan of Hallmark Channel romance movies. She loved Disney and the color pink.

Patty grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. She was a carhop when she met Tom, who worked at his dad’s service station next door. He would teasingly leave this beautiful brunette a two-cent tip and had co-workers tell her the “Big Tipper” was there. Flirting at the Frostop led to a date at Lagoon for a Beach Boys concert and then to them tying the knot on July 8, 1966. They settled their family’s roots in Kearns a decade later.

They enjoyed going to concerts (especially Elvis), square dancing, camping at Mill Hollow, Sunday drives that occasionally included snack stops at Nu-Crisp Popcorn, watching TV and/or snoozing in their favorite recliners, going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii and family time.

She had a great sense of humor and was a good sport when teased (sorry, Mom!) for saying things like “H-E-Double-Q.” She definitely got sassier with age. Occasional anger was brief. Forgiveness and patience were ample. And love was always abundant. She once shared a cute meme that read, “I always wanted to win the lottery. But tonight I looked around at my beautiful family and realized I already have!”

Her family certainly won the lottery with her.

Our family thanks neighbors, medical providers and caregivers, including those at St. Joseph Villa and Suncrest Hospice, for the tender care and service they provided our mom and grandma as she twice conquered cancer and dealt with dementia.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Valley View Funeral Home Chapel (4335 W. 4100 S., West Valley City). Those attending are invited to wear pastels in tribute to Patty.

The funeral will be livestreamed at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26031092002147

The family will receive friends at a viewing that morning from 9-10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. She will be interred at Valley View Memorial Park next to her eternal partner.

If Patty has her way, Tom is now serenading her with lines from one of her favorite Elvis songs:

“Love me tender, love me dear

Tell me you are mine

I'll be yours through all the years

'Til the end of time.”