Mildred Genevie Copenhaver

1920-2009

Genevie Copenhaver passed away peacefully on July 28, 2009. Genevie Richards was born Feb. 15, 1920, to Alvin and Clara Richards in Dayton, Ohio. She grew up in Dayton, graduating from Roosevelt High School. Several years later she married Carl Copenhaver, also a graduate of Roosevelt High School. Eventually settling in Kenwood, they raised five children while Carl worked as a machinist at Sonoma Developmental Center. Primarily a homemaker, Genevie loved to sew clothing and often dressed her family in matching outfits. She was an active church member and spent many summers cooking for hundreds at church camps. She was an avid gardener and even with her large family she had surplus for friends and neighbors who came by regularly for her squash and green beans. During the week while her children were in school she worked as a housekeeper for Mr. Coops, who lived just a block away. After her husband of 44 years passed away, Genevie spent time traveling as a summer missionary, relieving the fulltime missionaries so they could come home for vacation.

Genevie was a strong and dynamic woman with a beautiful smile and a wonderful, bright sense of humor. Her children, her friends and her neighbors were blessed to know and love her.

Genevie is survived by her dear friend Harold Walters, and by her five children: Phillip R. Copenhaver and family, James A. Copenhaver and family, Elaine D. Neiman and family, Dan L. Copenhaver and family, and Gail S. Yee and family. Nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren called her “Grandma.” She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held on Aug. 9 at Santa Rosa Bible Church in Santa Rosa.

The family requests , in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to Hospice of Petaluma, P.O. Box 7054, Petaluma, CA 94955-7054.