MOUNT VERNON – Calista "Cally" Genre, 88, formerly of Green Valley Road, Mount Vernon, went to be with Jesus on Jan. 14, 2022, at her residence in Howell, MI. She was born April 3, 1933 to John E. C. and Grace Sandy Rodgers.
Cally is survived by daughters, Sandi (Dan) Smith of Mount Vernon and Polly (Jim) Meganck of Dexter, Michigan, and son Joe (Bonnie) Genre of Ambridge, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren, Robin (Brad) Edwards, Carissa (Jamie) Goodlet, Kevin (Ashley) Meganck, Anna (Kyu) Kim, Alex (Taylor) Genre, Katie Genre, and Maddie (Zac) Hoopes; and 11 great-grandchildren: Sam, Caleb, Nathan and Josh Edwards; Camden and Abigail Goodlet; Brooklyn, Coby and Micah Meganck; and Lucia and Noelia Kim. Others include brother-in-law Fred Henceroth and sister-in-law Mary Rodgers.
In addition to her parents, Cally is preceded in death by her husband, T. Edward (Ed); an infant son, Terence Rodger; brother Rufus (Betty) Rodgers; sister Nancy Henceroth; brother-in-law Der (Marjorie) Genre; and sister-in-law Barbara (Roger) Spearman.
Cally lived in Lorain until graduation from high school in 1951. She then moved to Mount Vernon, where she lived with her aunt, Dee (Dorothy) McCalla, and family and attended First Baptist Church. There she met Ed and they married in 1952.
Cally graduated from the Mount Vernon Business College and her resume is diverse. She worked at Shelmar and Kroger in Mount Vernon, taking time off to raise their children. She then went to work at Cooper Bessemer before moving to Florida in 1972. There, she worked at Florida International University (FIU), Higher Education Management Institute (HEMI), Cordis, and Zinkel & Renegar Architects. In these positions, she interacted with employees and students. She and Ed then accepted a position as house parents, living with a family with three young girls. They then continued as a team, working for the State of Florida as caseworkers and house parents for adjudicated youth – earning the 1986 ‘Direct Service Employees of the Year’ award for Dade County and the state of Florida.
Cally loved living in Florida, but after 17 years, in 1989, they returned to family and friends in Mount Vernon. Cally worked for the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County for 10 years and volunteered with Hospice and the American Red Cross.
Cally loved God and His creation – nature, animals (especially her dogs Genny and Sadie), but most of all she loved God and His people. She made a difference in the lives of everyone she met. She shared with them the good she saw in them – helping those around her to be and see the best in themselves. Always an encourager, she was known to stop and pray with you right at that moment. She helped others know that they are loved and special to her and to God.
She made sure her children were in Sunday School and church every week. She loved and adored her grandkids and great-grandkids. She also loved other people’s kids – as evidenced in her positions with Florida Jobs & Family Services. She put others before herself. Cally lived a quiet but visible faith in God that showed even during difficult times. She had a wonderful and spontaneous sense of humor.
Every morning, Cally woke with a song in her heart that was infectious to those around her. A favorite hymn was “In the Garden.” Her special place was her wonderful flower garden. She could tell us the name (and scientific name) of each flower and weed. She loved ALL flowers, but especially her daffodils (thousands of them) and lilies. She collected rocks and other nature art (i.e. tree bark, pine cones, etc.) to border her garden paths.
Cally’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 5, 2022. Friends may call one hour before at Faith Baptist Church, 8764 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050, Pastor Matt Otto Officiating.
She will be missed and loved forever.
Special thanks to Sunshine Cottage staff and friends for your amazing love and care.
Thank you to Snyder Funeral Homes in Mount Vernon and Borek Jennings Funeral Homes of Howell, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Friends of the Library, Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, 201 N Mulberry St. Mount
Vernon, OH 43050, Bibles International, 609 36th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548.
