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Genie di San Faustino loved life, loved people, loved new ideas, loved cooking, loved to travel, and despised growing old. She was born October 14, 1919, the older of two daughters of Genevieve Bothin Lyman and Edmunds Lyman, and she led life to the absolute fullest. Genie graduated from Santa Barbara Girls School and then, after a year spent in Germany in 1937, she returned home to attend Dominican College. In 1940 she married Alexander Casey, by whom she had her two sons, Michael and Lyman. In 1958 she married Prince Ranieri di San Faustino with whom she spent nineteen wonderful years before his death in 1977. During the 1940s, Genie and her friend, Jean Mailliard, founded Casey and Mailliard (later Genevieve Casey and Associates) which, over the next several decades, became the pre-eminent real estate brokerage firm dealing in homes in Pacific Heights and other northern San Francisco neighborhoods. Meanwhile, her own home became a gathering spot for friends, old and new, who enjoyed lively conversation and spectacular cuisine. Although never formally published, about two hundred fifty of her close friends and family members cherish their copies of the cookbook she wrote in 2002. That book, a compilation of her favorite recipes. was also an autobiographical journey through a lifetime of memories set around the culinary delights she so loved and the great chefs - James Beard, Chuck Williams (of whose Williams Sonoma she was an initial investor) and MFK Fisher to name just three) in whose kitchens she studied. But it was people and ideas which Genie really craved. She had friends all over the world with whom she stayed in touch, and her philanthropy was always directed to the newest and brightest initiatives. Proud of her service as a director of the Bothin Foundation (the last thirty years as its President), she never tired of challenging staff and other directors alike to seek out new and better ways to improve the lives of others less fortunate. Genie cherished close friends, particularly those who sought to make a difference in the world. One such friendship was the close bond she developed with Jane Goodall. She had met Jane on one of her many trips to Africa, and that chance meeting led Genie, in 1977, to become the founding President of the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization which she continued to support for the rest of her life. Like her grandmother and her mother before her, Genie served for years on the Board of Directors of Childrens Hospital before its merger with CPMC. She also served for many years on the Boards of the San Francisco Symphony, the Conservatory of Music, the Fine Arts Museums, On Lok Senior Health Services, the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Foundation, and the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, of which she was a founder. Genie was active to the end. At age ninety, her dinner calendar was still filled weeks ahead. She played bridge regularly, was an inveterate reader, loved her garden which was visited by garden clubs around the world, and was still taking French lessons a month before she died. She was also enormously appreciative of the efforts of her caregivers, Sing, Marites, Sue, and George. Genie is survived by her sons, Michael (Jeanie) and Lyman (Carol), as well as five grandchildren (Shannon, Kimberly, Lyman, Charlie, and Kate) and twelve great grandchildren. She also leaves a stepson, Montino Bourbon, as well as five nephews and nieces and their families. A memorial service will be held at Grace Cathedral on Friday, March 25th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Genie's honor to either the Jane Goodall Institute, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., #600, Arlington, VA 22203, or to the Bothin Burn Center, c/o The St. Francis Hospital Foundation, 900 Hyde St., San Francisco 94109.
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Genie di San Faustino (and Ranieri her husband) would be SO proud to know how well the Jane Goodall Institute is progressing these days. They played such a key role in its inception and supported Jane Goodall for many decades in so many ways. It was always such a pleasure to spend time with Genie and to look out at her stunning garden. She was always so so keen to know the latest news, to know what was going on around the world and she just shone with the passion with which she lived her amazing life. Always missed.
Dr. Jane Goodall
Friend
March 6, 2019
Kristina Grace and I were sad to learn that Genie has passed. We will always recall the good times with Genie and her friend Mrs. Hume. The two were definitely a pair full of wit, wisdom and mischief telling stories over dinner and Gin martinis across from Grace Cathedral. Both of these family matriarchs supported with generous gifts the lighting and architecture of Grace Cathedral. These gifts and their contributions have made the Cathedral and the City a better place. God bless. Our heartfelt condolences to Genie's family and friends. Darrell de Tienne and Kristina Grace
Darrell + Kristina de Tienne/Grace
March 24, 2011
Dear Mike, Lyman, Charlie and family,
I first met dear Genie in DC with Vanne Goodall and Jane Goodall in the early 1990s.....it was at the Madison where she was staying to help to celebrate Jane's award of the Hubbard Medal at the National Geographic. We became friends and since that time she has played a big part in my life. It was Genie who first made it possible to join Jane Goodall on her lecture tours and i know she plotted and schemed with Vanne to make it happen!
She was such FUN, always with a welcome and a smile and i am just so grateful to have known her for so long. I was amazed when she phoned me in hospital in London last August just as i was emerging from the post surgery anaesthetic and she continued to phone every day to check my progress. She was larger than life and certainly made a difference to mine. you have my thoughts and prayers and deepest sympathy at this sad time. I wish that i could be at her funeral tomorrow. with love
Mary Lewis
VP & Assistant to Jane Goodall PhD DBE
mary lewis
March 24, 2011
Dear Mike, Lyman, Charlie and family,
I was priviledged to meet your Mother several times and was struck by her kindness, brightness and spunk. I am very inspired by her life of service and grace, and hope in some small way to emulate her giving nature.
Thank God for this splendid Lady, who's spirit will stay with so many.
Sincere condolences.
Janet Brown
March 22, 2011
Lyman and Mike, what a special lady your Mom must have been. She was truly a treasure for your family and a gift to everyone to whom she gave so much.
Janet and I will keep your Mother and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark and Janet Rohman
March 21, 2011
To the Princess of Pacific Heights. The Roses in our garden on Pacific Avenue will remind me of your kindness, generosity and especially your humor. When the roses begin to bloom next month, I will miss seeing you stop to smell them. But it will remind me to stop and smell the roses myself, because life is too short. Thank you for taking the initiative to introduce yourself and enriching my life these past years. You will always be part of the spirit of our special neighborhood!
Robert Starkey
March 17, 2011
rest in gods peace aunt jenny. you always give me a smile when i think of you. thank you for a celebrated life princess di san faustino. now you can know how much you are loved.
i send my love to you, and to everyone. i think of you all often with much affection, good memory, and the same smile i have for aunt jenny.
kathi miller
March 17, 2011
Lyman,
What a wonderful person your Mother was. Lisa and I recall stories you have recounted about her while at the Flat Rock Club. However, we had no idea of the full reach of her passions in life. We know you will miss her. Actually, the world will miss her - we should all aspire to live the life she led!
Lisa and I offer our condolences.
Randy and Lisa McAllister
March 16, 2011
Mike, Lyman & the Casey family,
My, my what a magnificent lady. I never had the pleasure of meeting your mother Mike, but she is one that would enrich most anyone's life in a positive way. I know you and your family will miss her spirit. Sharon and I offer our most sincere condolences to you and your family.
H. G. Buck & Sharon Adams
March 15, 2011
Mike and Lyman,
Your Mother must have been a wonderful person! We are sure your family will miss her a lot.
Zoe & Lon Richardson
March 15, 2011
Mrs. di San Faustino was a lady of uncommon gentility and grace, and it was a privilege to be acquainted with her many years ago. Her grandchildren could not have been more fortunate to have such a lovely human being in their lives -- truly an inspiration and a beacon, shining from beyond.
Melissa Batchelder
March 14, 2011
I never met this lady, but knew of her kindness and generosity through her philanthropy and her treatment of people who many of her peers might have ignored. Her legacy is clear in the fine offspring who continue the spirit of her kindness. A blessed life indeed.
March 13, 2011
Philip de Limur
Philip de Limur
March 13, 2011
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