Genevieve Desmarais

1921 - 2021

Genevieve Desmarais

Salisbury - Desmarais, Genevieve "Gene" Orzel - 100, recently of Salisbury, Maryland passed away peacefully on June 24, 2021 surrounded by her family and her husband of 73 years.

Gene was born to Adela (Turla) and Casper Orzel on January 3, 1921 in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Erie, Pennsylvania where Gene grew up on 13th Street, a Polish-American neighborhood in the shadows of St. Stanislaus Catholic Parish and School. Gene attended "St. Stans" through 8th grade then East High School before working for General Electric upon graduation. Soon after, Gene enlisted in the United States Navy as a WAVE. Gene loved her time in the Navy where she served her country proudly for over two years on active duty. Gene was extremely patriotic and prior to serving in the USN, would routinely donate blood and knit sweaters and scarves for the Troops. It was during her time as a WAVE, at a USO dance in Washington, DC, that Gene met the love of her life, George Desmarais, who was also stationed and serving, at the time, in Washington, DC.

In 1948 Gene and George married in Erie, PA and returned to the DC area. Eventually, Gene and George settled in Camp Springs, MD where together they raised six children. To hear each of her children tell it, their childhood was idyllic, Camp Springs was magical and their mom was the perfect mom!

It was in Camp Springs Gene found passions in addition to her treasured family. She was an avid Bridge player, playing cards with the same group for 17 years. With her St. Philip mom's group, Gene learned the delicate art of china painting. She was a creative seamstress and talented at needlework. In later years, Gene learned the intricacies of stained glass creation. At their cherished Ocean City home, Gene enjoyed kayaking on Assawoman Bay.

Along with her husband, George, Gene was one of the early members at St. Philip the Apostle in Camp Springs. Her active involvement in parish life continued until retiring to Salisbury, MD where at St. Francis de Sales, Gene volunteered each week, in the Joseph House Food Pantry. Parish life was an outward expression of the deep seated faith which fed and sustained Gene her entire life. Gene, along with her husband, George was a daily devotee of Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet. It was this faith and joy in the Lord's great goodness that was the brightest example of her loveliness to all who knew her.

Gene enjoyed travelling and together with her sisters, travelled to Europe, India and China. To her parents and sisters she was their beloved Gene. Gene cherished her family and friendships and maintained close contact with her sisters, childhood friends, military friends and former neighbors over her 100 years of life.

Gene is survived by her husband of 73 years, George Desmarais; Children: Bea Lowe (David) of Salisbury, MD; Dave (Kathy) of Clinton, MD; Carl (Chris) of Vienna, VA; Philip (Patricia) of La Plata, MD; Mary Bork (Rich) of Wyoming, DE; Carol Ann Miller (Bob) of Chantilly, VA; her beloved sister, Rita Orzel of Erie, PA and her beloved and only niece, Allis Sullivan Guay (Bernie) of Hyattsville, MD. Gene enjoyed the love of many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 30th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 535 Riverside Drive, Salisbury, MD.

A memorial Mass at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Camp Springs, MD will be celebrated at a later date after the cremation takes place.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gene's memory to: The Joseph House, c/o The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, P.O. Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802 or online at The Joseph House.