Genevieve Stella Sowa

Genevieve was born on Wednesday, September 1, 1926 and departed this earth on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. She passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family. Genevieve was a first generation American, born to Anthony and Helen (Dembrowski) Trzaskos in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Chadsey High School in 1944. Genevieve worked in clerical jobs until she married and became a full time mother and homemaker.

Genevieve is predeceased by her parents, siblings, and son, John Andrew. She is survived by her children Sylvia (James) Williamson, Raymond (Maria) Sowa, Bernice (Kent) Chase, Marcella (Allen) Holmes, Rosemary (Jose) Rivera, Keith (Jean) Sowa, Andrew (Christine) Sowa, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Genevieve was a creative homemaker. She could make a meal from whatever she had on hand. Everything was made from scratch. She also enjoyed sewing, crochet, jigsaw puzzles and cooking. She was an exceptional gardener with an amazing green thumb - growing and home canning most of the jams, jellies, fruits and vegetables for her family‘s meals. Her love of flowers was evident in the beautiful flower beds she kept. Not only were her flowers well tended, she had a deep passion for roses. She could pull a stem off any rose bush, put it in the dirt, cover it with a pickle jar and create another beautiful rose bush. She was amazing.

Genevieve found great joy in her grandchildren and their children. Seeing a grandchild, great grandchild or great-great grandchild would always bring a smile to her face. Although she didn’t venture out of her home in the past few years, she loved when the grandchildren sent pictures and videos that would be shared with her during family visits. She also realized she enjoyed traveling! She loved taking the motor home with Jim and Sylvia to visit Kevin in Baltimore; her trips to Chicago, Ohio, Washington DC and up north with Marcella and Allen; her trip to Las Vegas for Jose and Rose’s wedding and her trip to Arizona with them as well. The family was surprised to learn that her first airplane ride was not when she went to Chicago in the 1990s but actually took place when she was 12 years old! She was enjoying a fair near her home in Detroit that featured airplane rides. She was lucky enough to find an unused ticket on the ground and cashed it in for her first ride on an airplane. A true wanderer. She will be greatly missed.

A private service is being planned for later in October. The service will be attended by immediate family only, in consideration of her desire to be with her children, grand children and their family members. Thank you for honoring the family’s request for privacy.

Please share a memory of Genevieve by signing her Guestbook.