Genevieve Frizzell

Genevieve Shoemaker Frizzell, of Mansfield, died Monday, February 25, 2008, at her residence. Genevieve was born in Newark, Ohio to Ethel and Jesse Shoemaker. Her dad worked for the railroad, and her mother was a homemaker. Jenny was the youngest girl in a family of eight children. Only her sister Sarah Gardner survives her. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School and her closest high school friend, Margie Cosner, remained a life-long friend.

She met the love of her life, Kenneth George Frizzell, at the Belleville Street Fair, when she winked at him. They were married at Niagara Falls. During the WWII, Jenny worked at Tappan's while Ken served in the Coast Guard. When Ken came home, he operated a Shell gas station on Bowman Street. Son, Attorney Kenneth G. Frizzell, was her first child and was followed by sister Linda Diane Hissam, now a teacher/professor in Fort Myers, Florida. The family grew to four, with the births of Jennifer Jo Frizzell, a flight attendant from San Francisco, California and Ann Bryson Dunlap, an art teacher, living in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Jenny urged Ken to buy a small grocery store in Roseland, and the family lived in an attached apartment. All four kids slept in the only bedroom. Jenny and Ken's intention was to work side-by-side to make the business successful. They worked long hours, and instilled in their children a strong work ethic. They lived the "American Dream." Soon they expanded the size of the store and built a home above it. They were generous to their customers, and were known for their honesty and providing quality products. The store opened at 8:00 AM, but if there were customers at 7:30 AM, they opened the doors for them. Same thing at closing, the customer came first. All of the children worked at the store, in every department from an early age.

The community rewarded them and soon Frizzell's Super Dollar expanded to a second store. They divided the workday-with Ken managing the store during the day and Jenny handling the closing. They supported local charities, schools, and always their beloved church, Main Street United Methodist. Through sacrifice and Jenny's insistence, all of the children received college degrees, even the girls.

Ken and Jenny retired at age 50 and they spent many winter months in Fort Myers, Florida. After Ken's death, Jenny settled into life alone at Young at Heart Village where she made many friends. She loved Jones's potato chips, Coca-Cola, hot fudge sundaes, quiz shows, golf, crafts, dancing, church, and most importantly babies. She had 8 grandchildren: Kenny, Joe, Ed, Rhett, Cortt, Gunnar, Dylan and Tracey, her only granddaughter. She also had 10 great grandchildren: Dakota, Spencer, Gabrielle, Kirsten, Annie, Noah, Joey, Paloma, Lilly, and Macey. They all held a special place in her heart. She considered herself blessed.

Known for her straightforwardness, she remained true to herself during her final years. She was honest and good to her many friends. Her habit of "telling it like it is" especially delighted her grandchildren. Jenny is happy now, because she is with her God in heaven, with almost her entire birth family, with her beloved son, with her son-in-law Terren Dunlap, and, with her dear true love and husband, Ken.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her many professional caregivers in the final months, especially her special angel, Toyia Boswell.

Her daughter Jennifer provided loving care and attention to her "mama's" health challenges. Jennifer dedicated her time and energies to Jenny's care. She stood by Jenny making sure she honored her mother's wishes to spend her last days at her home.

Jenny had a brilliant life. Thank you all for loving Jenny.............

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial will follow in North Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Main Street United Methodist, Mansfield, Ohio. The family would like to collect photos of Jenny from the past, especially ones from the grocery store years. If you have any photos, please bring them to the funeral home on Saturday.