Obituary of Geneive Harriet Ellis

Geneive Harriet Ellis (Genny) passed away peacefully on January 1, 2018 with her family at her side. She was born on June 23, 1914 in Caroga Lake New York, the daughter of the late George McWalker and Evangeline Gardner McWalker. She was predeceased by her brothers Lawrence McWalker and Raymond McWalker, and her sisters Mildred Smith and Florence McWalker. Geneive graduated from Wheelerville Central School in 1932. After graduation she worked at various domestic jobs. She married Thomas Garfield Ellis in 1939 and they resided in Amsterdam New York. Geneive lost her beloved husband Thomas when the two of them were passengers in an automobile accident. She would deliver his youngest child, Eugene five months later. Following the death of her husband, she moved to Gloversville where she was employed by the Treher and Jung business and family residences. Her hard work ethic and loving and compassionate life style endeared her to her family and friends as well as to her employers and their families. Her independence and strong puritan ethic was a role model to all. Geneive was a long term member and tireless worker of the Peoples A.M. E. Zion Church in Gloversville. She held membership in many church organizations and auxiliaries. Also due to her strong Christian leadership and values she encouraged her family to regularly attend Sunday school and other church programs. She worked hard to make sure her family grew up in a loving environment of independence, self- sufficiency and strong Christian values by working hard to the best of their ability. She was an active community volunteer often going door to door to collect charitable contributions or preparing meals for the needy providing another good example to her family by her leadership. Geneive was proud of the fact that she was a high school graduate. Her love of education motivated her to be a tireless and strong advocate supporting and encouraging her family to achieve at the highest educational levels according to their ability and pursue successful careers. She always had time to help with homework or discuss report card grades. She was often defaulted into the most compassionate caretaker of several family pets. She always lead by example, she loved reading poetry, Latin, crossword and jigsaw puzzles and many physical fitness exercises well into her nineties. She was also an emeritus member of weight watchers and enjoyed leading a healthy fit lifestyle well into her later life. Geneive, a devoted and loving Mother, is survived by her sons Thomas G. (Linda) Ellis residing in Johnstown, Eugene D. (Mary) Ellis residing in Rotterdam, and her daughter Wanda E. Ellis residing in Gloversville. A cherished aunt, she is also survived by her special niece Marilyn E. McWalker of Gloversville, and predeceased by her special niece Audrey T. (Harold) Laird of Gloversville, and special nephew Edward A. McWalker of Gloversville, whom she raised after the death of her sister Florence in 1955. Geneive is the proud Grandmother of Thomas G. (Christine) Ellis, Jr. of Malden Bridge and Tammy G. (Oliver) Robinson of Clifton Park, and M. April Ellis of Albany. She is the beloved great grandmother of Oliver Robinson Jr., Eric Robinson, and Geneive Robinson. She also leaves several additional loving nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on January 6, 2018 at the Peoples' A. M.E. Zion Church, 135 East Fulton Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. Funeral services for Geneive will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. at the church, followed by internment at the Fairview Cemetery in Amsterdam, New York. Her family wishes to thank the staff of the Wells Nursing Home, Inc., 201 West Madison Ave., Johnstown, NY 12095 for their wonderful compassionate and competent care of Geneive during her residency there. The family asks that contributions be sent to the Wells Nursing Home Activities Fund in lieu of flowers. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Walrath &Stewart Family Funeral Home 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078. Online Condolences may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com.