I recently learned two more Genetti descendants have passed on, both in their 90’s. It is always sad when our senior cousins are no longer with us. They are a generation closer to our ancestors and a link to the past. Each member of our family tree who lives a long, fruitful life is a library of stories and memories. When they pass on, we often loose this knowledge and ancestral connection. Here at the Genetti Family Genealogy Project we try to preserve the memory of our cousins, their experiences and their stories through our website, blog and family tree.
We say goodbye to Helene Lucy Smith Prehatny. Born in 1932 in Weston, Pennsylvania, Helene left us on June 30, 2025 at the age of 93. She was the granddaughter of Raffaele (Ralph) Genetti (1867-1949) and Lucia (Lucy) Zambotti (1865-1952). Always smiling, Helene lived an active, full life centered around family, community service and church. She attended most Genetti family reunions with her husband John, and was always a cheery presence. A great supporter of this website, Helene contributed many family photographs to our Photo Gallery, as well as a beautiful memorial tribute to her beloved grandparents and parents – “Family Memories by Helene Smith Prehatny.” She leaves behind a large extended family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To read Helene’s obituary, click here.
Also leaving us this past summer is William “Bill” Arthur McAdoo. Bill was born a century ago in Detroit, Michigan. He passed on just two months shy of his 100th birthday. A family man, Bill and his beloved wife Dolly, raised three children. His extended family included grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed many hobbies and was an active member of his community. Bill was the great-grandson of Costantino (August) Genetti (1842-1914) and Rosina Wahl Hummerer Kermmeier (1842-1926). Costantino was born in our ancestral village of Castelfondo, Tyrol and was the first of the Genetti clan to immigrate to the United States, settling in Collinsville, Illinois. Later in life, the couple purchased a farm in Webster, Missouri. Bill is the grandson of Mary Catherine Genetti (1868-1946) and Antonius Mallman (1860-1905). Click here to read Bill’s obituary.
If any family members or friends of Helene Prehatny or Bill McAdoo would like to share photos or leave a tribute to their loved one on their website memorial page, please feel free to write me through the Contact page on our website. I am happy to include your memories.
The Genetti Family Genealogy Project 