1925
Geneva
2008
Geneva Elise Fraser
July 8, 1925 — July 13, 2008
Geneva Elise Summersett was born July 8, 1925, in Honolulu. The daughter of John and Geneva Summersett, she grew up in a family with three brothers and one sister, moving from the South Pacific to southeast Portland as a young girl. She attended Richmond Grade School, Franklin High School and St.Helen's Hall. During these school years, music played a big part in her life. She played baritone horn and violin in Charlie Starr's Radio Band, was an accomplished pianist, and had a beautiful singing voice. While a student at the University of Washington, she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority and remained an active member throughout her life.
When her childhood sweetheart, Donald Fraser returned from World War II, they were married in a candlelight ceremony at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Oct. 29, 1945. Geneva, homemaker and mother of six, was very active in the community. She was a member of the PTA, a Campfire Girls leader, a Cub Scout den mother and she participated in the League of Woman Voters. Aside from her civic activities, she managed to find time for her many hobbies. She was a prolific crafter, with emphasis on crossstitch, entering her creations in county and state fairs where they were often blue ribbon winners. Family vacation trips meant camping from the Oregon coast to many of the Western states. She loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker, exploring virtually every trail in the Columbia Gorge. She also enjoyed beachcombing and gardening.
Child rearing completed, Geneva and Don found themselves drawn to the sun and fun of Snowbird Heaven in Yuma, Ariz. From fall until spring for many of their later years, they chased the endless summer south for the winter. Other travels included trips to Europe, South America, and road trips to 49 states in their 1974 Ford van, nicknamed "Ol' Blu."
Since the 2005 death of Don, her lifetime companion and husband of 60 years, Geneva has been living with Alzheimer's disease and unable to enjoy the active lifestyle she loved so much. On Wednesday evening, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Geneva celebrated her 83rd birthday, then quietly went to join Don early Sunday morning, July 13, 2008.
She is survived by her children, Mike, Dennis, Susan, Margaret, Geneva and Edwin; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Rose City Funeral Home, 5625 N.E. Fremont St., Portland. A private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association
www.alz.org/oregon.
Geneva Elise Fraser July 8, 1925–July 13, 2008
When her childhood sweetheart, Donald Fraser returned from World War II, they were married in a candlelight ceremony at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Oct. 29, 1945. Geneva, homemaker and mother of six, was very active in the community. She was a member of the PTA, a Campfire Girls leader, a Cub Scout den mother and she participated in the League of Woman Voters. Aside from her civic activities, she managed to find time for her many hobbies. She was a prolific crafter, with emphasis on crossstitch, entering her creations in county and state fairs where they were often blue ribbon winners. Family vacation trips meant camping from the Oregon coast to many of the Western states. She loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker, exploring virtually every trail in the Columbia Gorge. She also enjoyed beachcombing and gardening.
Child rearing completed, Geneva and Don found themselves drawn to the sun and fun of Snowbird Heaven in Yuma, Ariz. From fall until spring for many of their later years, they chased the endless summer south for the winter. Other travels included trips to Europe, South America, and road trips to 49 states in their 1974 Ford van, nicknamed "Ol' Blu."
Since the 2005 death of Don, her lifetime companion and husband of 60 years, Geneva has been living with Alzheimer's disease and unable to enjoy the active lifestyle she loved so much. On Wednesday evening, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Geneva celebrated her 83rd birthday, then quietly went to join Don early Sunday morning, July 13, 2008.
She is survived by her children, Mike, Dennis, Susan, Margaret, Geneva and Edwin; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Rose City Funeral Home, 5625 N.E. Fremont St., Portland. A private burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association
www.alz.org/oregon.
Geneva Elise Fraser July 8, 1925–July 13, 2008
Memorial
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Saturday, July 26, 2008, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Geneva Elise Fraser, please visit our flower store.