Sister Genevieve Mary Simons died in Camilla Hall on September 28, 2022, in the 84th year of her religious life. Sister died just shy of her 102nd birthday.
Genevieve Simons was born on October 13, 1920, in Philadelphia; her parents raised their family of three boys and three girls in St. William Parish in Philadelphia.
Genevieve attended St. William Elementary School (1926-1933) and John W. Hallahan High School (1933-1937). Later, while in community, Sister earned degrees from Immaculata and Villanova University.
Genevieve entered the community on February 2, 1939; she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Genevieve Mary, on August 16, 1939, and on August 15, 1941, Sister Genevieve pronounced her First Vows.
Sister Genevieve taught elementary-aged children in grades 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 from January 1940 through June 1958. Sister taught children in St. Cecilia Coatesville, St. Augustine Bridgeport, St. Agnes West Chester, St. Gabriel Philadelphia, St. Thomas More Arlington, St. Edward Shamokin, St. Katharine Wayne, St. Clement Philadelphia and St. Francis Xavier Philadelphia.
Sister Genevieve taught high school students from the fall of 1958 through the school year ending in 1980. Sister served in Denis O’Connell Arlington, Hallahan Philadelphia, Sacred Heart Lancaster, St. Matthew Conshohocken, Bishop Conwell Levittown.
In the fall of 1980, Sister Genevieve rendered invaluable service as the Assistant to the Congregational Archivist at Villa Maria House of Studies until August 1999. At this point through August 2009, Sister served as the Congregational Archivist.
At the tender age of 89, Sister Genevieve Mary, never tiring of active service, went to Camilla Hall as part of the serving staff from August 2009 through August 2011. From August 2011 until her death on September 28, 2022, Sister was an active member of the Apostolic Prayer Team as a resident of Camilla Hall. God rest her beautiful soul!
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister is survived by her sister Ann Mackin (Joseph) and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Sister’s parents Edward J. Simons and Genevieve (Donner) Simons, her brothers Rev. Edward Simons, OSFS, John Simons (Marie), Joseph Simons (Gertrude), and her sister Rita (Liebchen) Simons predecease Sister.
Reverend Michael Callaghan, C.M. was the main celebrant for Sister’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Vincent Smith, OSFS and Reverend Royce Thomas, CSsR. concelebrated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355