Genevra Reed "Gen" Counihan

Genevra "Gen" Reed Counihan, passed away peacefully at Newbury Court in Concord, MA on October 28, 2024 at the age of 98.
Gen was born December 15, 1925 in Wichita Kansas to Solomon Luther and Opal (Skaer) Reed. She grew up in Stillwater Oklahoma where her father taught psychology at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes). She graduated from OSU at the age of 18, did a year of post graduate work in International Studies, then attended Yale Law School, graduating in 1947.
Following law school, Gen worked in New York City as an account executive in an advertising firm. Watch the movies RBG or On the Basis of Sex to better understand her legal opportunities, especially considering that she graduated 12 years before her favorite Supreme Court Justice.
In NYC, Gen met a fellow lawyer - Paul Counihan. They married in 1949 and moved back to his home town of Cambridge, MA. Two years later they moved to Concord, where she spent the next 73 years of her life. She continued to get together regularly with friends from Conantum up until her death. Gen was an accomplished musician. She played the violin in the Concord Orchestra, the piccolo in the Conantum parade, as well as the piano at home.
Gen was active in Town politics, serving on the Democrat Town Committee, the Planning Board, and later serving as the State Representative for Concord, Carlisle, Sudbury, and Acton. Following her work in the legislature she led the successful effort to keep the iconic Gilbert Stuart portraits of George and Martha Washington in Boston. George's painting - The Athenaeum -was used as a model for many stamps as well as the dollar bill. She also continued to practice law locally, and served on the boards of Emerson Hospital and the Concord Cooperative Bank.
Gen was the consummate hostess for social, political, and most especially family gatherings. She loved bringing people together and rarely let an opportunity to celebrate community pass her by. She was an enthusiastic player of tennis and golf and enjoyed exploring the world.
Gen is survived by her 4 children and their families: Tim and his wife Carol, Paul Jr. (Chip), Bill, and Jessica and her husband James Pendleton. She had 4 grandsons: Chris and Geoff (wife Stephanie) Counihan and Jack (wife Sarah) and Lucas Pendleton, as well as two great-granddaughters: Aurea and Genevra Counihan.
A celebration of life will be held at the Colonial Inn in Concord from 2:30 to 5:30 pm on her birthday, Sunday, December 15th.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.