Genevieve Angelides, a warrior who enjoyed every day, hour, and minute of her 89 years, peacefully passed onto her next journey on Sunday after a year and a half battle with pancreatic cancer. She passed in her home in Fremont, California surrounded by those who loved her dearly.
Genevieve was born in Youngstown, Ohio on December 4, 1930. She was named Genevieve after Saint Genevieve. She was born to parents John Geordan, an immigrant from Greece who came to this country at the age of 14, and mother, Bertha (Hrifko) Geordan, born in the US to parents who were from Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia. She had two sisters, Veneta (Geordan) Tareshawty and Johanna (Geordan) Thomas. All were active members and very involved in church and Greek activities at Saint John’s Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio. The Geordan family had amazing experiences living abroad for one year in Corinth, Greece from 1936-1937.
Genevieve loved to work! Her career began at the very young age of 7. Her father would take her to their family-owned grocery store, and then their bakery called Sanitary Pies owned by her father and his brother, Nick. What a fun and great way to get out of house work! As the years progressed, she attended Lake Erie College for Women from 1949-1951. She then transferred to Ohio Wesleyan where she graduated with a degree in History and Social Studies in 1953. Upon graduation, Genevieve began her teaching career at Boardman Middle School in Youngstown, Ohio. She then started her adventures abroad in Giessen, Germany in 1959 teaching children of the US Army and earned the honorary title, Second Lieutenant.
Genevieve met the love of her life, Peter George Angelides, through her father and his good friend George Angelides, who had emigrated from Corinth, Greece. When Genevieve first met Peter she thought he would be a good catch for one of her sisters. Didn’t happen! Peter and Genevieve were married July 31, 1960 in Youngstown, Ohio.
Upon marriage in 1960, Genevieve followed her spouse, Peter, to California, where she taught at Ralston Junior High in Belmont, California. She was one of the first Educational Television teachers, starting with KQED. “Where on Earth” 1962-1963 was the title of the 6th grade geography program which ran for 7 years. Side career steps included: Event Coordinator at Metallographic Industries, Sunnyvale, California, Reservation Clerk at World Airways, Oakland, California and Trainer at Corbett Travel Academy, Fremont, California. She loved every job, the people and the students in her entire life.
Genevieve has stated many times that her greatest gift from God are her two children, Philip Geordan Angelides and Petrina Celeste Lewis. Both are married and have 3 children. Philip is married to Katie (Keim) Angelides and their children are Grace (17), Sophia (15) and Philip Jr. (9). Petrina is married to Mark Thomas Lewis and their children are Zachary (20), Nicholas (18) and Alexa (16). They are dedicated to one another and are amazing and loving families.
Genevieve and Peter loved California and decided to settle in Fremont, California. There, Genevieve was introduced to AAUW, the American Association of Women, and was fully committed to this organization for 45 years. She served in many offices including holding the position of President. She initiated the One Book, One Community Read Program (OBOCR) 12 years ago when the book was Three Cups of Tea. Genevieve was instrumental in bringing the book’s author, Greg Mortenson, to Fremont while collaborating with FUSD (Fremont Unified School District). This initiative collected $34,000 dollars in pennies to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The OBOCR program, which collaborates with Fremont Library, City of Fremont, and FUSD is still active today. Other associations and community involvement include: the Democratic Party, FUSD, English as a Second Language (ESL) Conversation at the Fremont Library, and Contra Costa Women’s Township.
Genevieve’s greatest passion was her faith in God and commitment to the Greek Orthodox Church. In 1974, Peter, Genevieve, Philip and Petrina joined the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Davis Street in San Jose, California. Participation for their entire family included Church School attendance, teaching Church History by Peter, Altar Boy by Philip, teaching Vacation Bible School, Choir, being on the Church School Board of Directors, visiting the ill and elderly, and all church activities and festivals.
Genevieve’s life was full and she lived every moment of it. She treasured being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, community activist and servant of God. Her memory will no doubt live on.
Donations can be made to:
American Association of University Women: https://fremont-ca.aauw.net/
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church San Jose, CA: https://saintnicholas.org/
Saint Christina of Tyre, Fremont, CA: http://www.stchristinaorthodox.org/
Due to the Shelter-In-Place Order, a very small funeral service will be held at Lima Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary and Cedar Lawn Cemetery for the immediate family only this Saturday, May 16th at 12:00pm. We welcome you to join us by Zoom.
Zoom Meeting:
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Please click this URL to join. https://netapp.zoom.us/j/98045234637
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