Genevieve Fennell

Genevieve “Gen” Mae Brady Fennell would tell you the secret to a long and happy life is a positive attitude and a strong faith. Genevieve passed from this life and into the arms of the Lord on November 23, 2019, at the age of 100. She lived a long and full life surrounded by a wealth of family and friends, and died peacefully in Richardson, Texas.

Genevieve was born on Memorial Day, May 30, 1919, to Thomas and Anna Brady in Chicago, Illinois. She was the first of four daughters. She met the love of her life in a neighborhood pub in Chicago Illinois. She married James Michael Fennell on February 13, 1943. She was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker for most of her life, and her husband worked for American Airlines, which moved them to New York City, Miami, and El Paso. By the time James and Gen moved to Dallas to settle permanently in 1963, they had 8 children. Since that time, she had 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Having many children, she knew the necessity of strong discipline, and she set high standards for her offspring. Her strong faith sustained her through the ups and downs of life maintaining a good attitude throughout. After her husband passed away her grandson Matthew needed her, and she was happy to step up and bring him into her home. She raised him with the same level of care and expectations as her own children. As a hobby Genevieve enjoyed painting and did several pictures which adorned the walls of her home. Genevieve was a devout Catholic and her unwavering faith was of utmost importance in her life.

Genevieve joins in heaven her parents, her sisters Virginia, Florence, and Merle, her husband James Fennell, Sr., her infant son Thomas Fennell, her daughter Carol Eddy, and her daughter-in-law Zuzanna Fennell. Genevieve is survived by her children James Fennell Jr., Mary Kathleen Dennis, Maureen Covington and husband Kirby, Rita Dixon, Margaret Pourrezai, David Thomas Fennell and wife Luisa and Catherine Stuart and husband Barry; her grandchildren Robyn Frascella, David Dennis, Nicholas Fennell, Luke Fennell, Kyle Covington, Kelly Covington, Matthew Fennell, Richard Fennell, Susan Record, Ellie Dixon, Crystal Dy, Laura Fennell, Brenda Little, Christina Fennell, Elisa Fennell, Chelly Garcia, Daniel Fennell, Melissa Bills, Jennifer Stuart, and Garrett Stuart; her great-grandchildren Michael Frascella, Daniel Frascella, Alexandra Dennis, Colleen Dennis, Abigail Fennell, Caelyn Fennell, Constance Fennell, Brooke Covington, London Mincey, William Fennell, Austin Brown, Jordan Dy, Ava McKnight, Kevin McKnight, Ryan McKnight, Coraline Little, Ian Little, Edmond Little, Quintin Little, Benjamin Little, Aiden Fennell, Elijah Fennell, Dylan Wilson, Jackson Wilson, Landon Bills, and Blake Bills; and her great-great-grandchildren Oliver Loree and Liliana Morales.

The entire family will miss your fierce spirit, your love, your banana bread, your holiday feasts and parties, playing games with you, watching the Rangers on TV, car rides to McKinney, your presence at all our graduations and weddings, your hugs, family events with you, and your determination and steadfastness. There are no words that can truly express the depth of our gratitude for what you have done for our family and our appreciation for your creation of it. We will miss you and love you forever.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2019, from 5 to 8pm with the rosary being recited at 6:30 at Hughes Family Tribute Center and a Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, December 2, 2019, at Calvary Hill Mausoleum Chapel in Dallas. Entombment will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Dallas.