Genevieve L. Timpane

1935 - 2024

Timpane
Genevieve L. Timpane
There is a special place in heaven for the mother of four boys. Genevieve LaGrua Timpane, of Arlington, Virginia, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2024, to take her place there with her husband and soulmate Mike (2022), and her son Joe (2016). A life full of love, laughter, and friendship is to be celebrated and remembered, and Gen's life was full of all of that and more. Throughout the many locations Gen lived with Mike over the years, each was always a home, not only to her family but to all who entered. Warmth, welcome, and well-being energized all who knew Gen and her deep wellspring of giving and kindness.
Genevieve LaGrua was born on June 24, 1935, to Michael Vincent LaGrua and Elizabeth Kelly LaGrua, known to all as Mick and Did. Gen (called "Jim" as a child) grew up in Union City, New Jersey, and although an only child grew up surrounded by a large family. She attended St. Michael's Elementary and the Holy Rosary Academy for high school. In her own words, Gen loved "everything" about her parents, and had a young life "full of fun". Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers films, summers at the Jersey shore, and the "Let's Pretend" radio show were favorite pastimes.
As a high-achieving young woman, in 1952 Gen attended The Catholic University, and in 1953 began dating Mike. They wed on November 30, 1957, and were married for more than 64 years. The young couple began their lives in Tacoma, Washington, where son Michael was born, then moved to Arlington, Virginia, where sons Joe (deceased), Paul and David were born. The family's Montana Street home was the epitome of the warm, welcoming, and energized life and upbringing that Gen gave to her husband and children. She later made wonderful homes in Tenafly, New Jersey (a house she never saw pre-purchase), Manhattan, Spring Lake, New Jersey and then back in Arlington. Even a staid Teachers College president's house was transformed into one of Gen's homes for family and friends visiting New York City.
Outside of all these amazing homes, Gen re-commenced her professional career in the early 1970's, working in nursing and guidance counseling in Virginia before two unique jobs in New Jersey-one organizing a World Day of Prayer and the other running Broadway music into high schools. Gen was also deeply involved with Arlington politics, and she was one of the first women to serve as chair of her Nova Catholic community. A talented artist, Gen was a sculptor, sketch artist and cross-stitch master. A fantastic knitter, Gen passed this passion on to both of her granddaughters.
Gen is survived by her sons Mike, Paul and David; cherished daughters Jane, Sharon and Anne; grandchildren Veronica, Michael, Brandon, Marcus, Rob, Julia and Peter, and close cousins Mark, Patti and Mary Levins. Gen also joins in heaven her close friends Donna Courtney, Midge and Joe Wholey, and Delores and Tom Leckey.
There will be a wake for Gen on Thursday, March 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace on S. 17th Street also in Arlington, to be followed by an interment and reception at Columbia Gardens cemetery on Route 50 in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donations to The NOVA Catholic Community.
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