Donovan, Genevieve Ann Marie, age 37, of St. Louis Missouri passed away peacefully on Monday, July 19, 2021.
Genevieve was born on February 19, 1984 in Fort Stewart, Georgia. She was a graduate of Jack Britt High School in North Carolina in 2002 and received her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. She later went on to pursue a PHD at the University of Memphis and paused to follow a career in Medical Billing. Genevieve’s talents were many, she was an extraordinary writer, a great baker, and a passionate reader of many books.
Genevieve is survived by her mother, father, her brother Dean A. Donovan and sister Genesis H. Roberts-Murombedzi. Genevieve is also survived by one niece Mia Grace Murombedzi and several grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends that were pretty much her family.
Genevieve was very intelligent; she had an infectious smile and a witty personality. She touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life.
Funeral at Kutis City Chapel on Friday July 30, 10:00 AM. Interment will be private. visitation Thursday from 3 till 8:00 PM
Sending my condolences from our family at this time of loss.
Genny – I was there at your sunrise 19 Feb 1984 – watch you grow into a beautiful young lady – now your sunset 19 July 2021.
Gone too soon – you will be remembered by you beautiful smile and personality.
Love from your Aunty Paulette and my entire Family!!
Cousins – Luetica & Jayson Leach; Charmaine & Curtis Lesane; Thomas & Candice Lewis and Angela & Rashon Gore.
Several Great Cousins and friends… too much to list.
RIP Genny
God loved you best
From the Lewis family in New York.
Genevieve,
What a beautiful name.
You are the cousin that I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting when you visited. That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I now know of you and will join the many of us who will for a time, have to reluctantly wave you goodbye.
I miss you like I have known you for a long period of time, but this may be because we are family and no matter what, the bond is very strong and my love travels the many and mighty seas.
I pray that Our Father in Heaven will welcome you with open arms and save a space right next to you so that I can finally say hello.
He will comfort you and take care of you. There will be no pain, tears, or sadness in heaven (your new home) just happiness and I love you.
Rest Genevieve and know that you are loved.
Your cousin Icylene and your extended family ❤
All loses are difficult, but losing someone like Genevieve feels abrupt and unbelievable, like a star imploding. I’ve never laughed as hard as I have with her, hiding away in my office during the hot Memphis summers. I’ve never indulged in so much delicious food, when we could afford it! She celebrated Lei Day with me in a place with no Hawaiians so I didn’t feel silly and performative. When my son got his first sunburn I called her for comfort, and she told me about how she used to get burned but no one believed her, and we laughed about the intricacies of melanin, no matter how much (or how little) of it one might have. We supported one another’s visions for a more radically inclusive and loving world. We celebrated highs and mourned lows. I was sad when she moved, because I am not good at long distance friendships, but I was delighted any time she came back to visit. We were birthday twins. She adored Genesis and Dean, and talked about them and their accomplishments nonstop. I’ve never known anyone as kind but also as cutting–and I don’t mean that in a negative way. You always knew where you stood with Genevieve, but even when you didn’t stand where she wanted you to she still loved you. And I loved that about her. I am so sorry she is not with us any longer.
Genevieve was one of the very best graduate students I have worked with in my 21 years at The University of Memphis. She was smart, professional, and funny, and a joy to be around. May she rest in peace and her family and friends find comfort in the fact Genevieve was loved and appreciated by her colleagues in Memphis.
I am sending my sincere condolences to Genevieve’s family. We met and roomed together at the AP World History Reading. She was a bright intellect and truly kind person. We spent many a late night talking about Egypt, archaeology dig sites, the Caribbean, Memphis, and her family and friends. God bless you all in your time of sorrow.
I went to graduate school alongside Genevieve in Memphis. She was always a wonderfully real human being. One of my most fond memories of her and I is driving to Arkansas to go to a Jason Mraz concert. She adored his music and she totally turned me on to him. I still have CDs that she burned for me from that trip. My heart is very sad and heavy for Genevieve‘s family, as she was a bright light.
Rest in Heaven cousin. Keep watching over the many families and friends you came in contact with while on this earth. God has prepared a much better place for you now. Rest Cousin! Love Junior and Family.
Genevieve was so special to so many and our hearts go out to the Donovan family. I know she loved you all tremendously. My husband is from a state she went to school in and we got to see her experiencing Egypt for the first time so our memory of Genevieve is very vivid for that trip and many other moments. We send our deepest condolences and support.
Genevieve was named after her grandmother, who has always been a woman of class. I first met this young lady in the 1991-1992 school year at Joseph Gomez Elementary School. Being a new student, she migrated from Georgia to be with us in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands of the United States. She was always chosen to be in charge whenever the teacher stepped out for a moment. While students like me struggled and had low self-esteem, Genevieve was always confident and maintained an A average throughout that school year. She always knew the correct answer, she studied hard, and she has even encouraged me once upon a time to study really hard so that I can make it. Everyone gravitated to her and respected her.
After that school year, she transferred to E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School, where she continued excelling academically and achieving many awards for her high marks and behavior. She was chosen to be a part of a local commercial on WTJX-TV Channel 12, where she played an instrument that was unique to me as it was the first time I had ever heard or seen it…the bass clarinet.
Genevieve moved on to the Bertha C. Boschulte Jr. High School in the 1996-1997 school year and continued remaining on high honors. That was the last time she was with us. She migrated back to the states and I always asked her grandmother for her. I always asked her to give Genevieve my regards.
I hadn’t seen or heard Genevieve’s voice since I was 12 years old, which is why I felt like my feelings were severely hurt when I learned of her passing. The world has lost a great soul, a gem, a lady of quality. My heart goes out to her grandmother, after whom she was named, as well as the rest of her family. May Genevieve’s soul rest in eternal peace.