Mary Genier

Mary Carmel (Christopher) Genier passed away on March 21, 2023, at Teresian House in Albany NY, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mary was born on September 30, 1933, to Louis and Julia (Varrone) Christopher in Scotia, NY. She attended Draper High School in Rotterdam and NYS Teachers College in Albany. Always an overachiever, she completed high school and college in three years each.

A devoted teacher, Mary taught high school mathematics at Draper, and later, Mohonasen High School. She was the Math Department coordinator at both schools. After retiring, Mary worked for the NYS Education Department and became a mentor for the Union College Teachers Program. She also co-authored a High School Mathematics Textbook. In 1996, Mary received the NYS Assoc. of Math Teachers Distinguished Service Award.

Her former students would be surprised to learn that the teacher known as “the General” because of her strict classroom demeanor, was the quintessential Italian mom and grandmother outside of school. Mary was an avid cook and baker. Saturdays before Christmas were spent making Christmas cookies with her good friend, Marie Palmer. Dozens of specially arranged trays of cookies were shared with all. Easter was another big baking time. She spent countless hours making traditional rice and meat pies. These were distributed by her daughter Kathy in the “Pie Patrol” with help from her grandsons Ethan and Fredrick. The list of recipients was long, and people joked that someone had to die for a new person to get on the list. Mary’s kitchen was always well stocked, and she loved to host dinners and parties. Nobody entered the house without being offered a meal or snack... and nobody ever left Mary’s house hungry.

Mary spent many joyful hours taking care of her grandchildren. Her annual Thanksgiving weekend sleepover with all of them was a highlight when they were young. She took them to the Schenectady Christmas parade on Friday, then to Toys R Us on Saturday to create their Christmas lists (and receive an early Christmas gift). Grandma’s house was always the favorite sleep-over place where they were sure to get spoiled.

Mary and her husband, Fred, were very involved with the Rotterdam District #2 Volunteer Fire Company. Fred was a past chief, and Mary was a past president of the Auxiliary. Many hours were spent attending conventions and serving the Rotterdam community.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband, Fredrick, her brother, Louis Jr, and her daughter-in-law, Sally. She is survived by her children; Fredrick Jr. (Carolyn), Mark, and Kathleen and her grandchildren; Sarah (Christopher), Samantha (Pete), Amelia (Marshall) , Ethan (Marisa), and Fredrick III.

The family would like to express our profound thanks to the staff of Teresian House for their kind and compassionate care in Mary’s final months.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday March 28th at 10 am at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Rd., Schenectady, NY. Relative and friends are invited to attend. A visitation to celebrate Mary's life will be held on Monday evening March 27th from 5 to 8 pm at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Avenue, Schenectady, NY.

Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.
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