Genevieve Cree

Genevieve Ciemniecki Cree, a lifelong New Jersey resident, an optimistic woman of faith, loving and devoted wife of the late Frank Cree, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and successful business woman died on Sept. 18. She recently celebrated her 95th birthday. She resided at Seabrook Village Center and formerly in Lavallette and Kenilworth. She was a member of Holy Innocents Seabrook congregation and previously St. Bonaventure, Lavallette, and St. Theresa's, Kenilworth, parishes. She was a member of the Rosary Society. Genevieve valued her family. She believed in living each day to the fullest and in the power of having a positive attitude. She was fastidious about healthy eating. She always looked for the good in people and was generous in mentoring and sharing her blessings with others. As the daughter of an immigrant, she treasured being an American. She loved to learn. As an avid reader, she was particularly knowledgeable about nutrition, health and finance and read the Wall Street Journal daily for many years. She appreciated music, musical and theatrical performances. She was a fan of PBS television, enjoyed watching sports, especially Notre Dame football, and the Masters Golf Tournament. She favored butter pecan ice cream and had a tendency to make lumpy mashed potatoes, for which she will be fondly remembered. Born Aug. 20, 1927 in Union, she married Frank on Sept. 7, 1947 and shared 73 years with him until his passing in February 2021. Later in life when Frank became disabled, she was his selfless and dedicated caretaker. She is survived by daughters Diane Cree Kane of Virginia and Brenda Cree of New Jersey; granddaughters: Rebecca, Teresa and Emily Kane of Oregon; grandsons: Matthew, Colorado, and Ethan, Pennsylvania, Hartman.; great-granddaughter Aero Cree Mondari; and a sister Anna Crown, NJ, numerous nieces and nephews. Grandson Adam Hartman died in 2016. She was the daughter and one of nine siblings of Henry and Stella (Zembrzycki) Cieminiecki, Kenilworth. Brothers Chester, Frank and Hank Ciemniecki and sisters Stella Black, Helen Willar, Florence Bertolotti, and Frances Ruscansky predeceased her. Genevieve retired as an Employee Benefits manager for Airco Industrial Gases, Murray Hill, having been promoted to that position after joining the company in 1968. She worked 21 years for Airco. She graduated from Dayton Regional High School, Springfield, where she was a cheerleader. During the war years, she worked manufacturing munitions in a converted Singer plant. She also worked for Levy Brothers in Elizabeth and as a bookkeeper for her husband's business while raising her children. She extended her education by taking classes at Union County Community College. After marriage, the couple lived in Garwood, where Frank's family owned and operated Cree's Lunch restaurant, and then moved to Kenilworth, where they lived for 40 years. While in Kenilworth, she was active in the community, working at the playground in the summer and helping to create the Kenilworth Recreation Center. She served as bookkeeper for the annual church carnival at St. Theresa's and as an election poll worker. She and Frank, who were both passionate about the Jersey Shore, retired to a home they had owned since 1976 on Princeton Avenue in Lavallette. During retirement, they savored happy times with family and friends at the beach and also enjoyed traveling to Arizona, Florida and other places in the United States and regular excursions to Atlantic City. She moved to Seabrook Village Center, Tinton Falls, with Frank in 2005, where they met new friends and participated in many activities. She lived in her own apartment until her passing. Genevieve's Memorial Service will be offered at 11 am on Friday October 21, 2022 at Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road in Tinton Falls, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Seabrook Village Atrium from 12-3pm. Genevieve will be laid to rest with Frank, who was an Army Air Force veteran, at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.

Genevieve Cree

August 20, 1927 - September 18, 2022