Maria Genders
August 14, 1935 — May 3, 2011
Josie was born in Valkenburg, the Netherlands in 1935 as the youngest daughter of seven children. In 1955, she took a chance on a man she knew for four months, boarded her first plane to fly across the ocean and began what would be the biggest adventure of her life. This adventure took her from Montreal Canada to Hawthorne, California to Bellbrook, Ohio where she lived for 25 years before retiring to Circleville in 1995. The man she took a chance on was Leo Genders and she was in love with him and married to him for 55 years.
The family she raised was the most important thing in her life. She had three sons and one daughter: Leo - married to Samantha; John- married to Karen; Mark- married to Heather; and Valerie-married to Bob (Slaven).
She had 13 incredible grandchildren that, along with many other people that loved her, knew her only as “Omi.” They were the loves of her life: Leo, Emily, Mia, Josie and Lily (Leo); Tyler, Jacob, Cole and Abbie (John); Madison and Luke (Mark) and Bobby and Amy (Valerie).
An avid reader and gardener, she spent 18 years as a Realtor, was heavily involved in the Masonic community and was a member of the Pickaway County Ladies Auxiliary.
She showed love to every single person she met. She was the most accepting, loving, selfless and strongest person that any of us have ever known.
She died peacefully in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, May 3rd surrounded by the love of her family. Friends may visit at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville, Ohio from 2 – 4 pm or 5 – 7 pm on Monday, May 9th with a remembrance ceremony at 7 pm. All welcome.
The family she raised was the most important thing in her life. She had three sons and one daughter: Leo - married to Samantha; John- married to Karen; Mark- married to Heather; and Valerie-married to Bob (Slaven).
She had 13 incredible grandchildren that, along with many other people that loved her, knew her only as “Omi.” They were the loves of her life: Leo, Emily, Mia, Josie and Lily (Leo); Tyler, Jacob, Cole and Abbie (John); Madison and Luke (Mark) and Bobby and Amy (Valerie).
An avid reader and gardener, she spent 18 years as a Realtor, was heavily involved in the Masonic community and was a member of the Pickaway County Ladies Auxiliary.
She showed love to every single person she met. She was the most accepting, loving, selfless and strongest person that any of us have ever known.
She died peacefully in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, May 3rd surrounded by the love of her family. Friends may visit at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville, Ohio from 2 – 4 pm or 5 – 7 pm on Monday, May 9th with a remembrance ceremony at 7 pm. All welcome.
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