Tribute

Genevieve passed peacefully with family by her side at the age of 84, just 25 days shy of her 85^th birthday.

She was born Genevieve Whale in Medicine Hat, Alberta to Josephine and Frank Whale.

Genevieve is predeceased by both her parents and by her husband of nearly 57 years, Norman Boden.  She is also predeceased by her older sister, Louise Rowbottom, her brother-in-law Gerry Clare, her nephew Frank and her grandchild Gordon.  She is survived by her sister Nannette Clare of Dawson Creek and her brother Kim (formerly George) Whale of Victoria.  She is also survived by her four children:  Chuck Boden, Penny Boden, Sandra Vermiere (Jeff) and Wendy Boden (Rhondine) as well as 5 nephews, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Genevieve moved to Victoria, BC at a very young age where she grew up with her three siblings.  She met her future husband, Norm Boden, on a golf course in Victoria and married shortly after in 1959.  Their son was born the following year followed by three girls.  They lived in Chemainus, Duncan and Honeymoon Bay while raising their children but later moved back to Duncan.

Genevieve was a very engaged mother to her children plus a surrogate mother to many of her children’s friends as well as to her Brownie troop and daycare children.  She spent many years supporting her husband in his career as a professional golfer/greenskeeper on his home course in Honeymoon Bay.  She also worked on her own career while raising her children.  She worked in the school district as a teacher’s aid for a few years and later completed her ECE (Early Childhood Education), working in a daycare for many years, where she thrived.  Genevieve was a strong supporter of First Nations and cared for many in her daycare role.

Genevieve was born into an artistic family (Whales Arts and Ceramics Victoria) and loved arts and hobbies her whole life.  Her most recent passion was quilting.  She believed that everyone should have the access and skills to sew.  She rescued older sewing machines, cleaned them up and got them into good working order before donating them personally to deserving families in Mexico.  Holidays were very special to her, especially Halloween and Christmas.  She also loved and supported nature and all of its creatures.

Genevieve was a sweet person and a gentle soul but also a very strong person.  She quietly battled cancer for 25 years and outlived all doctor’s expectations.  She made the most of all this borrowed time but the battle eventually became too much.  She spent her final year in Cairnsmore Place where she was cared for by a fabulous and caring team.  She will be dearly missed by her family and great friends.

There will be a celebration of life held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 2 pm at the Valley Seniors Organization (55+ center) on Government Street in Duncan for those who wish to attend.

For those who may wish to donate in her honor, the charities closest to her heart would be anything supporting cancer, children or the environment.