IN MEMORIAM: Althea ‘Allie’ Gennarino, 82;
Retired Teacher Leaves Husband, 5 Children
ONEONTA – Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Althea “Allie” Gennarino, 82, of Oneonta, a retired teacher in Unadilla, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2019 with her family by her side at Bassett Hospital.
Allie was born on July 5, 1936, in Hancock, to Fred and Minnie Alma Beecher, the second youngest of their five daughters. Allie met Lawrence “Butch” Gennarino, her husband of 62 years, in Oneonta. The couple was married on Sept. 1, 1957.
Allie’s love of learning was inspired by her teacher at the one-room schoolhouse she attended until third grade. After graduating from Cortland High School, she pursued a teaching degree at Oneonta State Teachers College.
Allie taught kindergarten for 26 years at Unadilla Elementary School. Her gentle way positively influenced the early lives of hundreds of children. After retiring, she enjoyed meeting with friends and fellow former teachers for breakfast and lunch.
All who knew her were grateful for Allie’s kindness, acceptance and patience, whether she was teaching children to read or a friend to drive. Allie will be fondly remembered for her love of reading, swimming with her grandkids, planning picnics at her family’s camp, taking photos, organizing her many photo albums, and, above all, spending time with her family. Her thoughtful, caring, efficient, and selfless personality made a lasting impression on others.
Left to honor and remember Allie are her husband, Butch Gennarino; five children, John Gennarino, Catherine (John) Hanchar, Maria McMullen, Patricia (Dennis) Shea, and Joe Gennarino; nine grandchildren, Joseph McMullen, Jessica Shea, Patrick (Hannah) McMullen, Cortney (Bill) Simons, Emily Shea (Mark Henrichs), Butch (Michelle) Gennarino, Mary Hanchar, Elizabeth Gennarino, and Johanna Hanchar; five great-grandchildren, Liam Simons, Karissa Mack, Benjamin Simons, Billy Keene, and Tony Keene; and three sisters, Viola (Charlie) Fuimera, Virginia Beecher, and Carol Brown.
Allie is predeceased by her father, Fred Beecher, mother, Minnie Alma Beecher, brother, Hilton Beecher, sister, Winona Hovey, and son-in-law, Steven McMullen.
Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St, Oneonta. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta.
Burial will be in the spring at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.
To send an online condolence please visit www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
