On Saturday, January 17], Mrs. Genevieve Zavage, 95, of Old Frame and later Masontown, PA left to be with Christ. Jenny was born on September 12, 1919 in Collier, PA. She grew up in nearby Woodside. She was born into poverty, with intelligence, goodness, and a strong work ethic, the eldest of eleven children of Mary and Vincent Ryczek. The first of her many successful work experiences began at age fourteen when she graduated as an A-student from the Woodside Elementary school 8th grade and moved to the Bronx, NY to work as a housekeeper. She subsequently returned to Fayette County and married the love of her life, John Michael Zavage, of McCellandtown. Jenny worked at many jobs over the course of her life including as a convenience store clerk, seamstress, Nicholson Township election judge, and cook at the Albert Gallatin High School cafeteria. Her most beloved work was that of building and operating her dairy farm and home in Old Frame with her husband. Jenny was a member of the Woodside Grange and Saint Mary's church in Leckrone. She enjoyed the love and companionship of her nine siblings, getting together with them often for weddings, dinners, holidays, or simply to enjoy the company of family and friends.
Jenny was preceded in the journey to Christ by her husband, John, on February 15, 1955, her parents, and siblings John, Felix, Francis, Henry, Thomas, Sophia, and Natalie.
She is survived by her sisters Helen Gerard of Uniontown, PA and Margaret Angelini of Jefferson, PA and by her children Elizabeth Quintana of Blacksville, WVA, John and Elaine Zavage of Pittsburgh, and Gerald and Andrea Zavage of Columbia, MD. She was a loving, helping, and caring grandmother to her ten grandchildren: Arjay and Janna Franczyk of Hawaii, Dr. Lurea and Mr. Robert Doody of Waynesburg, Sundeigh and Chad Plesko of Waynesburg, Andre and Joy Quintana of Morgantown, WVA, Lt. Colonel John and Christie Zavage of Tampa, FL, Captain Lisa (Ret.) and Major John Geis of York, UK, Captain Julie Zavage (Ret.) of Philadelphia, Kristina and Ken Staab of Townsend, DE, Michelle Zavage, MD and Mr. Michael Nemeth of Pittsburgh, and Andrew Zavage of Philadelphia. She is the great-grandmother of fifteen beloved children.
Human words are too weak to express how greatly we benefited from the blessing of Jenny's life on earth. Her exemplary work ethic, honesty to perfection, trust in God, perseverance, self-sufficiency and teachings were a motivation to us all. She readily shared her understanding of life with us: on getting along with people: "Don't dig in the manure and it won't stink;" on the potential dangers of drinking to her children: "There's plenty of time to start drinking when you're 40; on learning: "If we didn't get an education, we'd be just like the wild rabbits, there wouldn't be any civilization;", and on success in life: "Where you end up in life is not important, what is important is where you end up considering what you had to start with." Jenny enjoyed gardening, cooking, polkas, country music, and the Arthur Godfey radio variety show but her greatest, most frequent joy was stepping back to take satisfaction in her many, many jobs well done.
Against significant odds, she fought the good fight. She completed the race. She kept the faith.
Friends will be received at the Haky Funeral Home, Inc., 515 N. Main St., Masontown, PA, on Tuesday January 20, 2015 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday January 21, 2015 until 9:30 a.m. when Prayers of Transfer will be said.
A Mass of Christian burial will follow in St. Francis of Asisi Roman Catholic Parish, 101 South Washington Street, Masontown, PA 15461, at 10 a.m. with Rev. William G. Berkey as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Leckrone, PA.