Genevieve Spry McGee, retired teacher
Genevieve Spry McGee, 100, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She was born Aug. 21, 1923, the fourth of five children to Rev. Charles Whittington Spry and Nellie Majors Spry. Genevieve grew up in a dozen small towns throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After graduating from Laurel High School, she continued her education at Blackstone Junior College in Virginia and Western Maryland College, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education. Genevieve returned to Laurel, where she began her teaching career which spanned 35 years. It was there that she met her future husband, Carlton Jennings McGee, a recently returned WWII Army Air Corps veteran, and they wed in 1951. Their spark-filled marriage blessed them with a daughter, Jennifer, 39 years of laughter and merry companionship, along with a myriad of friends always ready to share in the fun of being a guest at the McGee table.
Genevieve was an avid reader and strict grammarian, adored by her students for her devotion and sense of humor. After the death of her husband, Genevieve showed her adventurous spirit by moving to St. Michaels, Md., to be closer to her sisters, Ruth Garretson and Peggy Cadell. She continued her involvement with the Episcopal church, becoming a member and docent at Christ Church in St. Michaels. Throughout her long life, she was a sharp bridge player, and a frequent and enthusiastic home cook and hostess, the latter passion observed by and passed on to her daughter. While well into her 80s, Genevieve relished a morning spent picking strawberries, blueberries, or spinach, and loved to hunt far and wide for the best crabmeat on the Eastern Shore. Yet her great joy in life was time spent with grandsons Max and Sam, to whom she was “Vivi,” and with whom she shared her love of games. Gin rummy was a special family favorite, although both boys confirm that never once did their grandmother simply let either of them win.
Her latter years were spent at Cadbury in Lewes, now The Moorings at Lewes.
Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Jennifer M. Townsend of Rehoboth Beach and son-in-law John G. Townsend IV; grandson, Maxwell G. Townsend and his wife Ludivina; grandson, Samuel J. Townsend and his partner Kenneth; along with her widely shared recipe for Vivi’s short ribs, which graces the table of many a hostess up and down the East Coast.
Burial will be private.
Contributions can be made in Genevieve’s memory to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 200 Second St., Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Genevieve’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
