Obituary of Geneva (Jenny) Schruder

SCHRUDER, Geneva Caroline May (nee Radtke)

May 5, 1939 – June 17, 2024

Our Mom, Jenny was guided by the angels to her forever home with her family present at her bedside during the early morning on June 17, 2024. We are all smiling because she has seen the shining and glorious face of her Savior; she has been reunited with our Dad, Murvin, aka Chuck, who died in 2017. They enjoyed over 62 years of marriage.

Cherished Mother to her son Bert David of Toronto, daughters Janey Lynn (John O’Dacre) of Ormond Beach, Florida and Nancy Lee of Ottawa. Loved Grandmother to Grace RoseMary O’Dacre, Faith Emma Jane O’Dacre, Luke Anthony Edwin O’Dacre and Toby Felix Zorn. Caring Sister of the late baby Brother Walter Radtke, the late Edwin Radtke, the late Lillian (the late Clifford) Buelow, Eileen (Sylvester) Peplinski, Caroline (Nelson) Peplinski, the late Beverly (Allen) Schroeder, and Debbie (Rene) Boucher, and the late Billie Tate. Loved by Sisters-in-love and Brothers-in-love, the late Florence (the late Cyril) Russell, the late Earl (the late Irma) Schruder, the late Flora (the late Charlie) Kelford, Helen (the late Giles) McGuire, the late Judy Gonu and Carl Schruder. Wonderful Aunt Geneva to many nieces and nephews, including the late Robbie Peplinski, who will miss her.

Our Mom had many talents that she never boasted about. She was a fantastic cook. Her son-in-love, Johnny, often commented that she should bottled and marketed her beef gravy. Childhood memories included weekly dough making which Jenny formed into loaves of delicious homemade bread, buns, pizza dough and fried dough, aka as beaver tails. Yet another incredible talent that Geneva possessed was being an excellent seamstress. Her wardrobe included many dresses, blazers, skirts, and blouses which Jenny had created using her faithful and dependable Singer sewing machine. Chuck proudly wore several polyester leisure wear suits which she had fashioned. Jenny was a lover of classic country music as she could be found singing songs by Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Charley Pride; Johnny Cash. Her two faves were Momma Loved the Roses and The Green Green Grass of Home by Tom Jones. Mom enjoyed listening to rock music bands too like KISS and BTO, which her son, Bert brought into the household during his teen years. 

Jenny enjoyed her pots of Salada tea, strong black coffee and her Cameos. Another pastime was writing, especially journalling as she filled many, many scribbler books which her daughters have been given. In addition, Jenny enjoyed spending hours pouring over the latest edition of True Stories, a ladies magazine popular in the 60s and 70s. Feeling truly inspired, Geneva once composed a fictional story which she mailed to the magazine for publication.

Geneva will be remembered as a truly unselfish Mom who supported and championed her children’s dreams, goals and aspirations. She always preached that education was essential in life and could be heard saying to Bert, Janey and Nancy that “education is no load to carry.” Her proudest moments were realized when her three kids had graduated with university degrees. She felt fulfillment in her role as a Grandmother to her grandchildren though her declining health was an obstacle in growing relationships in her later years. We wish to extend a huge thank you for the incredible staff at The Starwood Extendicare, Ottawa, who faithfully ministered compassionate care to our Mother during her ten years at the nursing home.

Please join our family for A Celebration of Geneva’s Life Journey on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Boyce Funeral Home, 138 Daniel Street North, Arnprior, Ontario.

If you wish, donations can be made in Geneva’s memory to The Shepherds of Good Hope, Ottawa, www.sghottawa.com