DETROIT – Geneva Bertha Gerry Basford, 81, of Detroit passed away on April 5, 2005, at her residence. She was born June 23, 1923, in Detroit, the daughter of Stanley and Lucy (Norris) Gerry. She attended the Detroit Grammar and Maine Central Institute school systems. She married Stanley Basford Jr. on June 20, 1941 and lived all her life in Detroit. Geneva was a homemaker in the early years of her marriage as she was raising her five children. While doing that she worked seasonal jobs and then worked for Northeast and SAS Shoe Companies until her retirement. Her family was the most important thing in her life. Growing up in a large family, she enjoyed family get-togethers and just visiting with family and friends and she was a great cook. She also was active in the community, being a leader in the 4-H and other community affairs. Geneva was a long-time member of the Good Cheer Club, the Detroit and Newport Methodist Churches and was instrumental in preserving the Detroit Meeting House. She was also a long-time member of the Pittsfield Rebekah’s. Although Geneva didn’t grow up in a family of sports’ fans, when she married Stanley, she was soon drawn into sports, particularly baseball. She became a dedicated, knowledgeable Red Sox Fan and also enjoyed tennis. She was an avid reader; she was also interested in history and very interested in family heritage. Geneva was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Clair Lawrence and Lemont; a sister, Elaine Colbath; a daughter, Patricia Chambers; and a son-in-law, William; a special son-in-law, Richard Bradley. She is survived by her husband, Stanley of 63 years; her children, Joan Bradley of Detroit, James Basford and his wife, Penny, of Plymouth, Wayne Basford and his wife, Virginia, of Detroit, and Bruce Basford of Saco; her sisters, Norma Fletcher and her husband, George, of Palmyra, Althea Tibbetts of Levant; a brother, Carl Gerry and his wife, Jeanne, of Florida; 16 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Marjorie Gerry of Farmington; and a special brother-in-law, Herschel Basford of California; sister-in-law, Shirlene Hume of New York. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2005, at Donald H. Shorey Funeral Chapel, 35 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield, where funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2005. An interment will be held in the spring at Detroit Cemetery.
GENEVA BERTHA GERRY BASFORD
