Genevieve Bacon Howard
On Sept. 20, 2010, Genevieve Bacon Howard passed away peacefully at 92 years of age.
Born in East Palestine, Ohio in April 1918, Gen was the youngest of three children. After a year at Miami University in Ohio, Gen completed training at Henry Ford School of Nursing in Detroit, Michigan and worked as a nurse briefly in Chicago, Illinois, Youngstown, Ohio, and finally at the Case – Western Reserve University Hospital system in Cleveland, Ohio, where she met her future husband, who was in training at the hospital.
In 1942 she married William H.R. Howard, MD. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1946, where they raised a family of five children and made deep, treasured friendships.
Gen loved to cook and was an avid bridge player, crafter and an “antiquer” who thrilled to find interesting collectibles and scout out pieces of furniture she carefully restored. She and her husband created a wonderful retreat in Bellaire, Mich., where memorable vacations always are enjoyed; and a retirement home on Sanibel, where Gen delighted in finding beautiful shells including a prized Junonia, and photographing the birds at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Most of all, she treasured time with family and friends, and it will be through each of them that her spirit lives on.
Genevieve’s parents, Lena and Thomas Bacon, her brother Alden and her sister, Esther Holley; and her husband, Bill Howard, preceded her in death. She is survived by her five children: Gayle Howard of Columbus, Ohio; Lynn Bailey of Traverse City, Mich.; William (Margaret) Howard of Whitehouse Station, N.J.; Mary Sue (Jeff) Woolsey of Bellaire, Mich.; Robert (Laurie) Howard of Cincinnati, Ohio; eight grandchildren: Richard (Sharon) Bailey and Kim (Mike) Olsen; Katherine, Samantha and William Howard; John, Christiana, and Joseph Howard; four great-grandchildren: Sloane and Cole Olsen, Alex and Brooke Bailey; two nieces and a nephew: Carol, Tom, and Susan Holley; and beloved friends.
At a later date, a private family service will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes all remembrances go to the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation (1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City, MI 49684-3198) in appreciation of the Aspen angels, who gave Gen outstanding care and peace during the last years of her life.