Marian (Messina) Genovese of Dunkirk, NY, born on March 22, 1923, was only 56 days short of her 100th birthday when she was peacefully called home, surrounded by her family, on January 25, 2023.
She was the daughter of the late Mr. Simone Messina and Frances (Leto) Messina and was the middle sibling of six children (Angeline, Tony, Carl, Marie, and Betty). She was married to Patsy Genovese on December 27, 1941, for 65 years until his passing in 2006. In June of 1949 they had a son, Patrick Genovese (Susan), who was the absolute love of their lives. Patrick, and his children with Sherry Cavanaugh-Fee, are Marian’s three grandchildren, who she absolutely adored, Anthony Genovese (Carly), Jacqueline Genovese-Lucas (David), and Katlyn Genovese (Alex). She also has two step-grandchildren (Marie and Mandi), and a step-great-grandchild (Italo). Marian was also a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Her greatest joys in life were being a mother and grandmother, roles she lovingly filled with the greatest of ease. She was a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, loved to play cards, Bingo, and win big at all the local casinos. She was an avid reader, enjoyed the theater, and loved listening to Italian opera music on her record player. She loved fresh flowers, was an excellent cook, and really enjoyed shopping for new clothes that she could get at a bargain. Along with being a wonderful homemaker, Marian held many important jobs outside the home as well throughout her life, many of which were at local factories when there was a shortage of men to work during the war. She worked as a “scraper” at the radiator plant, and as a “core maker” factory worker for gun parts during the war. She also worked as an inspector at Silver Creek Precision Corp., Van Raalte Silk Mill, and Forbes & Wagner.
When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed taking trips with her sisters to various places around the United States. She was quick-witted, funny, highly intelligent, and hard-working, but her greatest qualities were her generosity and compassion, of which she had an abundance. She regularly gave monetary donations to various causes and to those in need, was actively involved in her church, and made faith and prayer the center of all she did. She was happiest when she was caring for others. To have known Marian was to love her. She was truly a gift and blessing to all she met.
A celebration of life mass will be held on March 25, 2023, at Holy Trinity Church, 1032 Central Ave. Dunkirk, NY 14048 at 11 a.m. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
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