Genelle Louise Lee

Genelle Louise (Moreau) Lee passed into the loving arms of the Blessed Mother and the Sacred Heart on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at the age of 81.
Genelle was a woman of great faith, calm and wisdom.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who wanted nothing more than to gather her expanding family for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays and Anniversaries year after year.  Genelle was tough, an incredibly hard worker, and most notably, a peacemaker.  There was no bridge too far, no hill too steep, when she was determined to achieve her purpose.  Genelle could relate to people from all walks of life, and she made a lasting impact.  One hug from Genelle was worth 25 normal hugs.
Genelle was born on November 8, 1941, to Irwin C. Moreau and Anna (Sullivan) Moreau.  She attended three separate high schools, Central Catholic (Ft. Wayne), Catholic Central (Alpena, MI), and Regina High School (Harper Woods, MI).  Genelle had a great devotion to her Catholic faith that she carried throughout her life, with as many rosaries as grandchildren.  
It was at Central Catholic in Ft. Wayne that she met her beloved, Larry Lee.  They married June 3, 1961.  After his service in the Navy, Larry and Genelle moved back to Ft. Wayne where they would spend her remaining years.  Genelle welcomed 4 children by the age of 26.  At the time of her death, she had celebrated 61 years of marriage and had 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  After her children were grown, Genelle transitioned from her first love of being a mother to becoming a nurse.  Genelle graduated from Purdue in Ft. Wayne with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  For 10 years, Genelle was a postpartum / labor and delivery nurse at Lutheran Hospital.  Countless young mothers and babies felt her warmth and caring. Her time spent as a nurse was her proudest and most satisfying achievement.
Above all else, Genelle loved her family.  She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, whether on a diamond, court, field or stage.  Genelle loved Neil Diamond, playing euchre, doing puzzles, making jam, cooking and spreading joy. Genelle was a savant in the kitchen.  Her mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, and Mickey Mouse waffles were legendary, and turkeys always tasted better coming out of her oven. Genelle did many things well, but crossword puzzles were her specialty.  Summers were spent every year at the Lodge in Northern Michigan on Lake Avalon.  These Lodge weeks produced the treasures that Genelle held closest in her heart.  It was the place where her entire family came to laugh, live and love and Genelle was the Master of Ceremonies.
Genelle is survived by her devoted husband Larry, and 4 children: Amanda Carroll, Joe Lee (Caroline), Angela Jacobsen (Roger), Andrea Buday (Jeff), brothers Pat Moreau (Rosalie), Paul Moreau (Jackie), Justin Moreau (Roger), and 14 grandchildren (in order): Brianne Woodworth (Matt), Morgan Carroll, Max Carroll, Nick Carroll, Anna Jacobsen, Christian Lee, Olivia Jacobsen, Gabrielle Buday, Sabine Buday, Jacqueline Lee, Joe Jacobsen, George Buday, Pilar Lee, and Lili Carroll and 2 great grandchildren Dane Woodworth and June Woodworth and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.  Genelle was preceded in death by her sister MaryAnn Michie (Don) and brother Gene Moreau (Dorine), Pete Moreau (Jean), and John Moreau (Bernie).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 10:00 am with visitation one hour prior at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1105 South Calhoun Street, Ft. Wayne, IN 46802.  The funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed at www.Cathedralfw.org <http://www.Cathedralfw.org> by pressing the YouTube link in the upper right corner.  Visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 1, from 4-7 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 with a rosary at 6:45 pm.  Burial will take place at the Catholic Cemetery.  After the burial, there will be a funeral luncheon back at the Cathedral Hall. The family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Lutheran Hospital for their great care of Genelle during her recent stay at Lutheran’s ICU.  Special thanks to Genelle’s family doctor, Dr. David Mohan of the Lutheran Medical Group and to her beloved oncologist Dr. Sreenavasa Nattam, who’s talent was only exceeded by his wisdom and kindness.  Donations in Genelle’s honor may be made to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or to Bishop Luers High School.