Obituary for Genevieve F. "Gen" Obarski (Davidson)
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Genevieve Frances Davidson Obarski, age 99, died peacefully at her son Steve and daughter-in-law Sue Minor Obarski’s home in Chester, WV on July 5th, 2019, where she was lovingly cared for over the past 6 years.
Gen was born to Frances and Everett Davidson on June 7, 1920 in Akron Ohio, one of five children with siblings Helen, Dolores, Mary, and Charles. Genevieve spent her childhood in Akron and Randolph Ohio. After graduating St. Vincent Catholic High School in Akron she worked briefly, then met her husband Richard W. Obarski on a blind date. They shared 59 wonderful years together until Richard predeceased her in 2003. Their first 20 years together were spent raising their six children and living in Akron and Stow, Ohio. They lived in Pittsburgh for several years before they retired to Florida where they lived an active life together for 30 years. They spent a lot of their time together golfing, traveling, playing bridge and volunteering.
Gen was a lifelong active and devout member of the Catholic Church, and along with being a busy and supportive wife and mother, she served as a girl scout leader, was an excellent cook and baker, an avid gardener and an accomplished seamstress. She was the lifeblood of family gatherings, always preparing everyone’s favorite meals and desserts, and throughout her life she enjoyed watching sports, especially football and golf, and playing any kind of card game with family and friends.
Gen was predeceased by her husband Richard, and siblings, Helen Lange, Dolores Blucker and Charles Davidson. She is survived by her sister Mary Williams in Richmond Virginia, her sons Jerome and wife Anne of Charleston, SC, Stephen and wife Sue of Chester, WV, David and wife Kathleen of Newark, DE, and her daughters, Christine and husband Ken of Gordonsville, VA, Genevieve and wife Helen of Toronto, ON, and Louise Ligas Obarski of Chester, WV. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Michael Obarski and his wife Tammy, Julie Workmeister and her husband Lou, Meredith Gray and her husband Drue, Christopher Obarski, Shannon Obarski Benedi and her husband Claudio, Sean Obarski and his wife Natasha, Thomas Obarski and his wife Katie, Andi Obarski and her partner Kristen, Adrienne Kastan and her husband John, Loraina Paiste and her husband Leo, Alyssa Ligas and partner Matt, and Michael Ligas and 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit Wednesday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chester on Thursday at 11 a.m. with Fr. Timothy Huffman as celebrant.
Immediately following the service, friends and family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for food and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Genevieve’s name to Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland, OH 43943 or online at valleyhospice.org.
Gen was born to Frances and Everett Davidson on June 7, 1920 in Akron Ohio, one of five children with siblings Helen, Dolores, Mary, and Charles. Genevieve spent her childhood in Akron and Randolph Ohio. After graduating St. Vincent Catholic High School in Akron she worked briefly, then met her husband Richard W. Obarski on a blind date. They shared 59 wonderful years together until Richard predeceased her in 2003. Their first 20 years together were spent raising their six children and living in Akron and Stow, Ohio. They lived in Pittsburgh for several years before they retired to Florida where they lived an active life together for 30 years. They spent a lot of their time together golfing, traveling, playing bridge and volunteering.
Gen was a lifelong active and devout member of the Catholic Church, and along with being a busy and supportive wife and mother, she served as a girl scout leader, was an excellent cook and baker, an avid gardener and an accomplished seamstress. She was the lifeblood of family gatherings, always preparing everyone’s favorite meals and desserts, and throughout her life she enjoyed watching sports, especially football and golf, and playing any kind of card game with family and friends.
Gen was predeceased by her husband Richard, and siblings, Helen Lange, Dolores Blucker and Charles Davidson. She is survived by her sister Mary Williams in Richmond Virginia, her sons Jerome and wife Anne of Charleston, SC, Stephen and wife Sue of Chester, WV, David and wife Kathleen of Newark, DE, and her daughters, Christine and husband Ken of Gordonsville, VA, Genevieve and wife Helen of Toronto, ON, and Louise Ligas Obarski of Chester, WV. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Michael Obarski and his wife Tammy, Julie Workmeister and her husband Lou, Meredith Gray and her husband Drue, Christopher Obarski, Shannon Obarski Benedi and her husband Claudio, Sean Obarski and his wife Natasha, Thomas Obarski and his wife Katie, Andi Obarski and her partner Kristen, Adrienne Kastan and her husband John, Loraina Paiste and her husband Leo, Alyssa Ligas and partner Matt, and Michael Ligas and 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends may visit Wednesday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chester on Thursday at 11 a.m. with Fr. Timothy Huffman as celebrant.
Immediately following the service, friends and family will gather at the Dawson Family Center for food and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Genevieve’s name to Valley Hospice, 10686 State Route 150, Rayland, OH 43943 or online at valleyhospice.org.