Genevieve E. Brown, 90, of Lebanon, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Cedar Haven Nursing Home.
Born in Lebanon, PA, on Nov. 18, 1934, Genevieve was a daughter of the late Frank Bahsteter Sr. and Ruth (Arnold) Bahsteter. She married the late Richard P. Brown Sr. in April 1953. She was an Air Force wife for the next 11 years, stationed in South Carolina, Virginia, Alaska, New York, and Maine, before settling back in Lebanon and raising their family of seven children.
Genevieve worked as cafeteria staff at Southwest Elementary, Lebanon High School, and Our Lady of the Valley. She also worked at JCPenney‘s. She was in the church choir at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Catholic Church. She greatly enjoyed the time spent with her husband. She enjoyed working on any type of puzzle, playing the organ, and singing. She blossomed as she worked in her gardens, creating beautiful and colorful masterpieces. Genevieve also enjoyed writing poetry. She had one poem put to music and recorded on a record. This was titled “When the Sun Begins to Rise.” This song was sung at her husband‘s funeral mass and will be sung at her funeral mass.
Family was most important in Genevieve‘s life. She was always very happy to hear of new grandchildren becoming part of her family. She is survived by her children, Karen Brown Pautz, wife of Martin Pautz, Cynthia Schaeffer, wife of Gary Schaeffer, Richard Brown Jr., husband of Sheila Dove, Ruth Fancovic, wife of the late Phillip Fancovic, Tina Kline, wife of Jeffrey Kline, Anthony Brown, husband of Julia Gallagher-Brown, and Deborah Brown; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother, Joseph Bahsteter; sister, Margaret Bahsteter Beard; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, Genevieve was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank Bahsteter Jr. and Robert Bahsteter; sister, Mary Bahsteter Tobias; son-in-law, Philip Fancovic; and grandson, Jason Brown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at St. Mary’s Church, 2 N. 8th St., Lebanon, PA 17042. Interment will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. A viewing will be held prior to mass from 10-11 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Genevieve’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Church at the above address. Thompson Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
