Genevieve A. Thiébaut

1928 - 2024

Anacortes - Born as a single child to Maurice and Madeleine Thiébaut in Paris France, mom's life was divided between ballet lessons, school and their summer home, an old Millhouse in Pontvallain where mom was the happiest. She also adored her maternal grandfather Pépé, a kind baker who, with his wife Anna, clandestinely fed the resistance fighters during the war. Their country summers gave her respect for farmers "people of the earth" as she called them, and helped ease the difficulties of the Occupation (WWII); it was there at 16 that she met her first crush, an American GI from Florida. She loved animals, nursing a wounded bird back to life (fish broth); she was particularly fond of cats (they're not needy).

Victory Day in Paris and many wartime stories later, she met our Dutch father. They started in broken English and learned each other's language. They married in Holland and shared the same taste in many things. Their first son Frank died in infancy but despite that devastation, they went on to have two daughters Wanda (born on a houseboat) and Linda.

Their postwar marriage didn't survive however and with her new partner Jacques (whom she later married) and her two daughters in tow, mom drove back to the family home near Paris where she continued her work as an Artist's Rep for their new growing circle of friends. Eleven years later, in 1970, her sense of adventure overtook her again and she emigrated to the United States, landing in San Francisco following American friends they had made in Paris.

She mapped out San Francisco using the bus system, eventually bought a car and made several trips up and down the National and State Parks in the West with Jacques and a fairly steady stream of visiting European friends.

In her 50's Mom earned a Master's Degree in Anthropology from UC Berkeley, then worked there for 10 years as a Graduate Admissions Counselor, a job she loved as she was serving an International student body.

After her retirement she and Jacques moved their belongings back this time to the South of France where mom ran for Town Council (and won); a self described political activist, she ardently fought for the causes she believed in and Jacques was proud of her. After Jacques' passing she moved back to the US. to be near her beloved Berkeley, American friends and daughter #2 and her brood.

She leaves behind two daughters, Wanda (Karin Daan) in Holland and Linda (Bill Grace) in Anacortes, three granddaughters: Jennifer, Wanda (Ben) and Anna (Fil), six grandsons, William, Aaron, Luke, Peter, Silas and Jude.

As a young woman Mom was extraordinarily beautiful but never vain, as a French woman she always remained private - even formal - yet never stood on ceremony; she loved art, politics and ardent debate around the dinner table (she was a fabulous cook), she was very fiery and spontaneous yet thoroughly organized; she was a trooper, doing what needed to be done without fuss, she was a champion of the underdog and a citizen of the world.

She passed away peacefully and full of years in the wee hours of January 7, 2024.

We thank the wonderful staff at the Lighthouse Memory Care and finally Hospice of the Northwest for making her last few months so comfortable with such great care, good food and loving attention.

We loved her and she remains in our hearts.

To view the full obituary and share memories of Genevieve, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/genevieve-thiébaut