Mary L. Gennaula

Mary L. Gennaula (Neil) S.F.O., formerly of Brownsville, Pa. and residing in Gettysburg (Bonneauville), passed away Sunday, June 2, after a lengthy illness. She was 79.

Mary Lou was twice widowed, preceded in death by husband Ray D. Neil (California, Pa.) and husband Charles Gennaula (California/Gettysburg). She also is predeceased by parents Stephen and Helen Kosick (LaBelle, Pa.) as well as faithful canine companions Shaggy and Mohawk.

She is survived by daughter Dru Anne Neil (Gettysburg) and stepdaughter Janice (Drew—deceased) Bryner (Alexandria, Va.) and stepson Chris (Wendy) Gennaula (Minneapolis), as well as two sisters Patti (Jim) Currie (Charleroi, Pa.) and Bernadette (Joseph) Mendish (Latrobe, Pa.). She was close to surviving nieces Jennifer (Jay) Young (Evansville, Ind.), Erica Mendish (Pittsburgh) and Jessica (Aaron) Antell (Pittsburgh) and nephew Chris (Beth) Currie (Camas, Wash.). She has four step grandchildren: Tommy Gennaula, Tony Gennaula, Rachel Bryner and John Bryner as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins. She also is survived by beloved family mascot Tyge, a stuffed animal who has been in the family for nearly 45 years and made her smile even as she prepared to leave this world.

She was a member of the Catholic Secular Franciscan Order and was a devout Catholic active at St. Joseph the Worker in Bonneauville. She previously worshipped at St. Thomas Aquinas (California, Pa.) where she was administrative assistant and religious-education coordinator, and she has been lector, Eucharistic Minister and religious-education instructor at both parishes.

A teacher by trade, she spent most of her career at Brownsville Catholic School, previously teaching high-school biology at prestigious school districts like Fox Chapel (Pittsburgh) and Thomas Jefferson High School (Fairfax County, Va.). She was awarded the Good Egg Award by the Diocese of Greensburg for kindness and teaching excellence, and she loved combining her love of science with religious education. Before illness, she was an active walker, reader and collector of antiques. Her baking and cooking were legendary.

Services are being handled by Kenworthy Funeral Home in Bonneauville (Gettysburg), and viewing will be Sunday, June 9, 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at Saint Joseph the Worker in Bonneauville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Joseph the Worker church. An important note from Mary Lou’s daughter regarding flowers: “As a biology & religion teacher, my mom loved flowers & plants, but for 20 years, she told me that ‘if anyone sends carnations to my funeral, I will haunt them.’ I felt the need to pass along this information. If you knew my mom, well, send carnations at your own risk.”

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.kenworthyfh.com.

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