Katherine Genide

Katherine Ramey Genide died May 29, 2018 after a short illness at the Franciscan Care Center, where she resided three years. She was 99. Katherine was born April 27, 1919, in Charleston W.Va., the eldest of seven children of Lebanese immigrants Abraham and Margaret Ramey. Katherine was raised in Beckley, W.Va., where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. Following graduation, she worked at her family grocery store and deli. In 1945, Katherine married Sam Genide, also a Lebanese immigrant, and moved to Toledo. She had two children, Farris and Diane. Katherine and her husband operated the Main Street Sweet Shop in East Toledo. Katherine’s life dramatically changed in 1952 when her husband died of a heart attack. She was 32 and remained a widow the rest of her life. Katherine set aside her personal tragedy and moved forward, determined to provide a good life for her children. Over the years, she worked at the former Lamson’s and Lasalle’s department stores, Abrass Market in East Toledo and in the kitchen at the Kristoff House, where she won an award from the city for her superb cooking skills. Katherine also remained active in her children’s lives. She was a member of the PTA and treasurer of the mother’s club at the former LaGrange Elementary School. Her children’s friends always seemed to find their way to the Genide home on Walnut Street in North Toledo, where Katherine always had a number of her famous Lebanese dishes prepared. Katherine was a hard-working, no nonsense, straight-talking woman. As her son, Farris, said: “She said what she meant, and she meant what she said.” She was a strict mother, in part because she knew in the absence of her husband she had to be both parents. Aside from her family, her life’s passion was St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, of which she was the oldest surviving member. Katherine was for many years an officer in the church’s Ladies Society. She also taught Sunday School and was a member of the choir. Along with cooking for the many church festivals and other fund raising events, Katherine was in charge of the salad and was always proud of the Lebanese dressing she made. She also baked the Holy Bread for Sunday services and made the Amah for memorial services. For many years, Katherine could always be found shopping for produce at the downtown Farmer’s Market with her dear friend Mary Rezcallah, an activity she loved. She also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Surviving are her son, Farris; daughter, Diane [James] Wilson; grandchildren, Brian [Melissa] Genide, Andrea [Jon] Jensen and Erin Genide; Carrie [Christopher] Terreault; and Steven [Brandi] Wilson; and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 1 at St. Elias, 4940 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, where Trisagion prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2 at St. Elias with V. Rev. Ayman Kfouf presiding. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. The family would like to thank Dr. Rania Fahoury, Sister Jordan Schaefer, and the nurses and staff at the Franciscan Care Center and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for the good care and compassion they provided Katherine. Contributions to the St. Elias Church. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home and condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com