Shirley Ola (Tracy) Geno, Fletcher, 74, passed away on Saturday December 19, 2015 at St. Albans Health & Rehab in St. Albans. She was born on September 22, 1941 in Burlington daughter of the late Harland and Ola (Ellsworth) Tracy.
Shirley grew up on a small dairy farm in Fairfax, Vermont. She graduated from B.F.A. Fairfax the class of 1960. While in high school she played basketball for the Bullets. On March 29, 1968, she married her husband of forty-seven years, Roger Geno. They raised their family in Fletcher where Roger still resides. Shirley was home with her children for most of their childhood creating many happy and funny memories. She kept Derek entertained many summer afternoons by hitting endless fly balls for hours on end. She was always thinking of creative ways to get her teenage daughter, Laurie out of bed on an early school morning by playing Shaun Cassidy or Olivia Newton John records. She was ever the cheerleader for her two children in whatever they chose to do. Shirley never sat still she was always busy. She loved flowers and flower gardening. She and Roger enjoyed packing picnic lunches and driving the beautiful Vermont back roads. One of their favorite drives was through the Champlain Islands. Shirley loved to eat out whether it was a sub from Hero’s Welcome or a bread bowl on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Thank goodness she wasn’t a restaurant reviewer; she was one tough lady to please! One of her greatest pride and joys were her grandsons, Sam and Adam. She was the best grandma in the World. They treasured their overnights with G and G and will forever treasure her Easter scavenger hunts and her annual St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun shenanigans.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years Roger Geno of Fletcher, her son Derek Geno of Stowe, daughter Laurie Ely and husband Ray of Essex, sister Phyllis Fletcher and husband Rawleigh of Cambridge, sister-in-law Linda Tracy, brother-in-law Martin Warren, two grandchildren Sam and Adam Ely of Essex, many nieces, nephews, cousins and her beloved Yorkshire Terrier Oliver.
Shirley was also predeceased by her brother Ralph Tracy, sisters Beverly Warren, Barbara O’Toole and brother in law Michael O’Toole.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Franklin County Home Health and Hospice and St. Albans Health Care and Rehab for their loving care and attention during mom’s illness.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday December 23, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at A W Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel. Per Shirley’s wishes there will be no funeral services held. Inurnment will be private and at the convenience of the family in the family lot in Mountain View Cemetery, Cambridge. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association of Vermont, 372 Hurricane Lane, Suite 101, Williston, VT 05495. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.
