Genevieve Churchill Obituary

Genevieve Camille CHURCHILL On March 14, 2007, at age 93, Genevieve Camille Churchill began one more of the many voyages that have marked her life. Genevieve was born January 8, 1914, in Keene, Texas, to Robert Perry Abel and Teresa Viola Clark. At the age of 10, she and her younger sister, Evelyn boarded the HMS Empress of Asia in Vancouver, sailed to Yokohama where they watched kimono-clad women with woven baskets coal the ship, and then sailed on to Bangkok, Siam, where their parents began nearly 30 years of service as Seventh-day Adventist missionaries. Joined by a baby sister, Madora and pet cocker, Fido, the Abel family immersed itself in all things Thai, becoming fluent in the lilting language and beloved cuisine of their adopted homeland. After some years in Bangkok, the family moved "up-country" to Ubol. From Ubol, the sisters, at 14 and 12 began another voyage, sailing Christmas Eve down river to the South China Sea and up the coast to Shanghai, to attend Far Eastern Academy until Genevieve's graduation. Leaving their parents in Siam, the sisters sailed west through the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal and traveled on through Europe back to the United States to attend Walla Walla College, Walla Walla, Washington. There Genevieve met Ervin E. Nichols whom she married in 1936. Following their graduation, Genevieve and Nick moved to Southern California where "they" attended medical school at the College of Medical Evangelists (now Loma Linda University). When Nick enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was transferred from Pendleton, Oregon to Florida in support of World War II, Genevieve drove alone across the United States to join him. When Nick was assigned to duty in Foggia, Italy, Genevieve returned across the US again alone to Nick's home town Port Angeles, Washington. Upon his return they moved again to Southern California to await the return of Genevieve's parents who would be released from internment at the close of the War. Genevieve and Nick had four daughters, Jacqueline, twins, Kathryn and Patricia, and Pamela. While Nick practiced medicine, Genevieve made a home for him and their daughters and developed an unparalleled culinary skill--canning, baking, freezing, and ever embracing new ethnic cuisines. She graciously and regularly welcomed a multicultural multitude around their ample oval table and delighted all with her culinary excellence. At the end of her marriage to Nick, Genevieve returned to Washington, settling finally in Redmond. There she met her second husband, Robert Churchill whom she joined in his home on Lake Sammamish and with whom she traveled, golfed, rooted for UW Huskies, regularly bested at Scrabble, doted on his children and grandchild, and made another warm and welcoming home. When she found herself alone again upon Bob's death, Genevieve chose and made her next voyage to Helena, Montana ("heaven"), to live above the Gulch and with her new friends at Aspen Gardens. Over her life, Genevieve played tennis, skied, was an accomplished pianist, sewed extraordinary slip-covers although she proclaimed she "couldn't sew," was the women's champion at Sahalee Country Club at age 80, and shot at least one hole-in-one. Her chief accomplishment, she raised her own daughters, did more than a little raising of her grandchildren, and was a steady presence in the rearing of many friends' children who continually delighted her with their children. Genevieve was preceded in death by her husbands, E. E. Nichols and Robert Churchill, and her sisters, Evelyn and Madora. She is survived by her children, Jacqueline (Peter) Lenmark, Kathryn Glenn, Patricia (Kent) Adams, and Pamela (James Bender) Nichols, stepson, James (Sharon) Churchill, grandchildren, Christine (Stephen) Trefzger, Paul (Trina) Lenmark, Shane Doe, Bradley Adams, Nancy (Kyle) Sundin, JP (Alison) Adams, Alicia Adams, Carrie (Jonathan) Monschke, numerous great grandchildren, and a faithful group of mates with whom she forged enduring friendships in Bangkok, Shanghai, "medical school," Sahalee, and on her many other voyages. Those who wish to memorialize Genevieve's life may make contributions to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the American Civil Liberties Union, or a charity of their preference. Cremation has taken place. Private family services to be held at a later time. Arrangements are in care of Retz Funeral Home of Helena.