Geneva Accawanna

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Geneva Kanip Accawanna, age 78, of Ft. Duchesne, Utah, passed away November 26, 2025, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.

She was born March 28, 1947, in Randlett, Utah, in a cabin. She always said just like Abraham Lincoln. She was born to Francisco Cesspooch and Maude Kanip.

She married Martin Reed, and they later divorced. She married Woodrow Accawanna and he died March 27, 2008.

Today we gather to honor and celebrate the life of Geneva K. Accawanna, a woman whose love, strength, and spirit uplifted everyone blessed to know her. Geneva lived a life full of tradition, laughter, faith, and deep devotion to her family and community.

She was always supporting her nephews, especially during the spring Bear Dance. She loved celebrating this sacred time with her partner in crime, Velma Sireech, surrounded by family, friends, and relatives. These moments grounded her and reminded her of who she was and where she came from. She was known as the Bear Dance Queen.

One of Geneva's favorite places was Wendover. Every chance she got, she would head west, often picking up her sister Orvella Cuch Charging along the way. Those trips were full of laughter, stories, and memories her family will cherish forever.

Geneva was a very traditional woman. She attended the Sundance, Pow-Wows, and belonged to the Native American Church. She was also a member of the Lady’s Auxiliary. Her spirituality ran deep – she believed strongly in the power of prayer and in the Native belief in life after death, of journeying on to the happy hunting grounds. That belief brings us comfort today, because we know Geneva has now been reunited with the loved ones who passed on before her; those she deeply missed and thought of often.

For many years, Geneva dedicated her time and heart to the Ute Indian Tribe. She worked with the Senior Citizens Department and later retired from the Food Distribution Program. Her coworkers weren't just coworkers, she considered them family. She cared deeply for the people she served, and her work reflected her generosity and commitment to her community.

Geneva loved her beautiful daughters with all her heart. With her girls, there was never a dull moment – they filled her life with joy, laughter and adventure. She adored being around her grandkids as well; they were her light, and she treasured every moment she spent with them.

She had a wonderful sense of humor. Geneva loved making people laugh. Her mother always told her not to talk about others or tease them because it would come back on her, so Geneva would make fun of herself instead. She didn't want anyone else getting in trouble. She would often say, "I didn't intentionally do things to get into fun or crazy predicaments...it just happens." And everyone who knew her knew exactly how true that was. She would just give a great big smile we loved!

She loved to travel, explore, and to enjoy life to the fullest. She helped anyone in need, especially her relatives. Her generosity was endless; if someone needed her, she showed up without hesitation. She could whip up a skirt overnight for nephews for the Sundance. She loved helping them feel good. She also loved to write poetry. She had many talents.

This was Geneva: strong, loving, traditional, spiritual, funny and full fo life. She lived with an open heart, supporting her family, uplifting her community, and sharing her spirit with everyone she met.

As we say, "See you later (Poo-Nee-Ka-Va-Sum-A-Daa).” We carry her stories, her teachings and her laughter, Geneva K. Accawanna has journeyed on to the happy hunting grounds, reunited with the loved ones she longed for, and though she is no longer here in body, her spirit lives on-in the tradtions she honored, she cherished, and the loved ones she leaves behind.

Geneva is survived by her five beautiful daughters, Elise R Adams, Oregon; Sondi (Robert) Orona, Mesa, AZ; Roneva (Jose R ) Valdez, Ft. Duchesne; Francisca Accawanna, Ft. Duchesne; Spring Accawanna (Joaquin Desjarles), Roosevelt; 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way; nieces and nephews, Reffel, Antonio “AJ”, Meredith, Serenus Kanip; Kevin, Lewis, Justin, & Rudy Myore; Alonzo, Susan, & Rosemarie Serawop; Robert, Leroy, Clyde, Zachary, Lelonie, & Zellen Cesspooch; Korin Johnson; Lesa Jenkins; Caroline Martin; and Pamela Cuch.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow; parents; grandsons, Alan James Orona, Cammron Martinez, Benny Wero, Jr.; granddaughter, Maudeena Valdez, ; son-in-law, Chester Dean Adams, Rafael Nakai, Jr.; siblings, Warren Kanip, Blance Myore, Antonio Kanip, Sr., John Cesspooch, Sr; Nelson Cesspooch, Sr.,Lena Cesspooch Alhandra, Frank Cesspooch, Norman Wero; nieces and nephews, Ranae Myore Marques, Alloin Myore, Woodrow Myore, Manuel Myore, Lilly Myore Marquez, Dillon Serawop, John Jr. Cesspooch, Leo Cesspooch, Hanna Cesspoonch Jenks, Freda Cesspooch, Everett Serawop, Toddy Serawop, Rhoda Manning, Norma Wero, Charlene Arrive, Pam, Tracy, & Wanda Chapoose, Cody Nelson Cesspooch, Jr.; Appawora, Eloise Ledbetter, Johnny Cesspooch, Jr. Korn Kanip Johnson, Rosie Jenks, Robin Colorow, Kyle Manning, Oneesha & Dawntae Cornpeach, Leta Cesspooch, Terry Cesspooch, Nelson Colorow, Nathaniel Accawanna Sr.; sisters-in-law, Velma Sireech, Melba Accawanna, Lamelia Wero, and Alberta Kanip.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Fort Duchesne Community Building. There will be a wake after 4:00 p.m. on Monday at her home in Ft. Duchesne

Burial will be in the Myton Cemetery.