Genoveva Bretzel Chesebro, age 93, of Clermont, Florida and East Boothbay, Maine, passed away on Jan. 8, 2022 in Florida.

Gen was born in Heimertingen, Germany on March 2, 1928 to Anton and Kreszenzia Bretzel. She was one of 10 children, and is survived by one sister, Antonia Fornefeld; a niece, Michelle Mastro; her husband, Mark, and their son, Tyler – all of Rochester, New York. She was predeceased by niece Cindy Marshall.

Gen grew up in war-torn Germany, coming to the United States in 1947. She worked in Albany, New York with Joanna Malone, a member of the Chesebro family; and during a vacation trip to East Boothbay to visit Joanna's parents, Bill and Ruth, she met widower James Chesebro. Jim and Gen were married on Oct. 16, 1965 and were together until Jim died in April of 1992. She leaves also Jim's daughters Rebecca Rice and Janet Chesebro, Rebecca's son James Rice, and his son Nathaniel.

Gen was a talented seamstress, creating quilts and clothing and upholstering furniture. She also shared a vegetable garden with Jim's father, Robert, and grew flowers and shrubs to attract butterflies and bees. She studied painting, and several family members have her paintings in their homes. Gen also learned how to play golf, which she and Jim both enjoyed. She was employed by the House of Logan in Boothbay Harbor until she retired, when Jim and Gen purchased a home in Clermont, Florida. After Jim died Gen continued to live summers in East Boothbay and winters in Clermont, moving to Florida permanently in 2007.

Gen will be greatly missed by her families in New York, Maine and Germany. Sincere thanks go to her good friend and caregiver, Linda Shaler, then of Clermont. Gen was a very strong, generous and loving woman to all dearest friends and family.

There will be a graveside service at Ocean View Cemetery on Saturday, May 21 in Boothbay, Maine at 2 p.m.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com