Genevieve Iris (Turnac) Newman |
| Posted 2024-12-22 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News Herald on Dec. 22, 2024 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Genevieve Iris Newman (nee Turnac), a 35 year-long resident of Lake Havasu City, and former Mohave Community College professor, died aged 95 on December 12 in Lake Havasu hospital. Genevieve lived a long, rich, and varied life and her far-flung relations and friends will miss her tremendously. Genevieve was a native Arizonan, born in Yuma on October 28, 1929 to John Theodore Turnac, a golf professional, and Evelyn Alice (nee Wupperman), an elementary school teacher. Genny was an only child. Genny's maternal grandparents were both early lawyers in old Yuma, her grandmother Mary Wupperman being one of the first women admitted to the bar. Genny grew up in Yuma during the Depression but subsequently moved to San Diego where she graduated from Grossmont High School. She was an outstanding tennis player in her youth, combining sports with a passion for theatre–specifically costume, set design and lighting. She attended Pomona College and then transferred to the University of Texas, Austin, where in 1952 she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in theatre. While a lecturer in theater at San Jose State University, she met Peter Newman, an English economist, and they married in 1953. They moved to England, where her first two children, Jean and John, were born. The family lived in Ceylon, Jamaica, Kenya, Costa Rica, and many US locations. Kenneth was born while they lived in Jamaica, and her fourth child, Alan, was born in Baltimore. Genny earned an M.Ed from The Johns Hopkins University in 1974. In 1976 Genny moved back to Arizona, where in 1992 she earned a PhD in education at ASU. In 1989 she moved to Lake Havasu City where she enjoyed work and then in retirement developed an extensive desert garden and indulged her love of animals. Genevieve lived independently up until her death from a very sudden illness. Genevieve is survived by her children, Jean, Kenneth and Alan; daughters–in-law, Anita and Janice, son-in-law Samuel; grandchildren Colin, Nina, Julie, Leela, Rohan, James and Denry; and one great grandchild, Austin. Her son John passed away in September this year from cancer. |
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