Geneva Grimes de Labry

Groton Long Point- Geneva Grimes de Labry, of Groton Long Point, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away April 10, 2024. She was born in 1935 to Sherman and Genevieve (Reynolds) Grimes and was the youngest of four children. She grew up in Belmont, Mass., and attended Belmont High School, excelling in her studies, and playing on the basketball team. Following graduation in 1952, she attended Connecticut College, having just turned seventeen years old. Her family discovered Groton Long Point shortly after World War II ended, and it was there that she learned to swim, became an avid tennis player, and made the lifelong friendships that sustained her throughout her life. One young man was particularly irresistible: Gerard "Gerry" Olry de Labry. Gerry's family came to the United States from France in 1941, settling in Scarsdale, N.Y. Like the Grimes family, the de Labry family serendipitously discovered Groton Long Point's idyllic summers. Just 13 and 16 years old when Gerry and Geneva first met there in 1946, they soon fell in love. A few years later, when Geneva attended college in New London, she often took the train to New Haven to visit Gerry at Yale. Following his graduation from Yale, they were married June 18, 1955, at St. Joseph's Church in Noank, and honeymooned in Bermuda. Gerry's Army ROTC commitment brought them first to Fort Sill, Okla., and then to Fort Ord, Calif. It was in California that they were blessed with their first son, Gerard Jr., in 1956, and their daughter, Lorraine, in 1958. Gerry's career with Southern New England Telephone brought them back to Connecticut in 1958. Two more daughters, Colette (1961) and Chantal (1962), were born to Gerry and Geneva. Sadly, Chantal died in infancy. Their youngest, Paul, was born in 1963.

Their family complete, Geneva resumed her undergraduate degree at Connecticut College, earning her BA in Psychology in 1971. Ever the student, she then completed her Master of Arts in Teaching in 1977 from Connecticut College. She taught at Mile Creek School in Old Lyme, for nearly 20 years, and was an outstanding teacher. Geneva's former students continued to recognize her years after her retirement, and she remembered all of them by name. They often told her she was the toughest teacher they had ever had, but fondly recalled her passion for teaching New England colonial and maritime history.

Geneva was a lifelong athlete. In addition to playing tennis and winning many tournaments at Groton Long Point over the years, she also took up skiing after her children encouraged her to try it. She joined in the fun and became an excellent skier in her own right, taking the children on ski vacations in Vermont. She convinced Gerry to join them, and at age 40 he took the plunge and quickly became hooked. Skiing became the focus of the family's winter fun, and they bought a second home in Plymouth, Vt. Family and friends flocked there (and still do!) to ski on winter weekends and vacations, gathering to end each day in front of the fireplace, happily recounting adventures on the slopes. Geneva and Gerard skied well into their 70s and made sure that all of their grandchildren also had the opportunity to learn to ski. When their skiing days were over, they spent several winters in Jupiter, Fla., playing golf, tennis and pickleball. Summers were filled with family and friends, and Geneva often never knew whether she'd be hosting 6 or 16 for dinner. Between Gerard's fishing, lobstering and vegetable garden, there was always plenty of food for all, and there was never an empty plate (or wine glass!) at their table.

Gerry and Geneva were married for more than 65 years, until his death in 2021. Geneva's wonderful friends rallied to her side and buoyed her during her darkest hours. She kept herself occupied by her work with the Groton Long Point Archives, playing bridge, and dinners with friends and family.

Geneva is predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Sherman (m. Beatrice) Grimes and Leonard (m. Rosemary) Grimes; her sister, Jeanne Grimes (m. Louis) Arnold; as well as her daughter, Chantal. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Gerry Jr. and Lesley de Labry of Groton Long Point, Lorraine and Steve Callahan of Amherst, N.H., Colette de Labry and John Flint of Chelmsford, Mass., and Paul and Suzanne de Labry, of Mystic. Fifteen grandchildren also survive "Neva": Jennifer Zibuda, Andrew (m. Daly), Phillip (m. Arianna) and Marc (m. Emily) de Labry, Jack (m. Annah Todd) and Liz (m. Alex Barley) Callahan, Declan, Rowan, Ethan and Adele Sales, Sean and Cody Flint, and Nate, Jack and Clare de Labry; as well as five great-grandchildren: Brayden, Connor, Oliver, Lillian and Remi, the youngest of whom was born just two weeks before Geneva's untimely death. She is also survived by many close nieces and nephews, and some very special grand dogs.

Geneva and Gerry were devout Catholics and longtime communicants at St. Mary's Church in Groton. A memorial service for Geneva will be announced at a later date.

Geneva was never short on advice or opinions, but she loved and gave tirelessly. She was famous for the hilarious and often irreverent poems she wrote to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries and retirements. We are deeply grateful to have had her for so long as the bright and energetic sun around which our lives all orbited. The profound and enduring love she and Gerry had for each other, and for us, will continue to light our worlds long after her passing.