Valeria Elaine (Yackshaw) Genetti

(April 28, 1937 – Dec. 22, 2020)

Published in Wilke-Barre Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE – Val Genetti, born Valeria Elaine Yackshaw, April 28, 1937, in Hazleton, passed away peacefully due to complications related to COVID-19 on Dec. 22, 2020, in Wilkes-Barre where she lived for 50 years.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Gus Genetti Jr., children: Valeria Bozek, Gus III, Patricia, Cathy (Charles Sansone), Maria, Jacqueline Sullivan (Michael); she was the sister of Mary Jean Greco and the late John (Jack) Yackshaw. She was the cherished grandmother of eight, great-grandmother of two, sister-in-law, aunt and friend of many.

A lifelong resident of Northeastern Pennsylvania, she was supportive and involved in many ways within the community. Whether she was attending an event or sharing in philanthropic endeavors, she was a partner with her husband Gus in every adventure.

Val (lovingly referred to by her kids as Mome) had a very gentle, kind and loving spirit – if you met her, you loved her (and may have wished she was your mother). She had a witty sense of humor and an endearing smile that could melt hearts. Her favorite things were family and traveling, but mostly it was combining the two – traveling with her family around the world. Val loved Neil Diamond and ABBA and could break out into dance at any moment to their songs. She loved sing-a-longs on road trips with her family. She had the ability to make every experience fun, and everyone always wanted to be around her. Val was elegant, but approachable, with a down-to-earth personality, always helping to make others feel comfortable. She treated everyone with the same respect, no matter who they were. She never wanted anyone to feel left out, so there was always an extra bed to sleep in or an extra plate at the table. As the matriarch, she had strong family values and she was the foundation of the family.

Val enjoyed playing pinochle, reading Danielle Steele books, watching detective-cop shows, enjoying coffee in her bedroom in the mornings, and somehow found time to do arts and crafts while raising six children. She gave great hugs and never turned one down. She had strong morals, was joyful, gentle, full of kindness and generosity, and she would be your biggest cheerleader.

Val was the vice president of the Genetti Hospitality Group of Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport and Dickson City, Pa. She was a past board member of King’s College Century Club, past president of Wilkes-Barre Jaycettes, past president Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Auxiliary, past board of directors of CYC, member of the Slovak Heritage Society and a volunteer of NEPA Red Cross Blood Center.

Val was a ’55 Hazleton High School graduate, and Hazleton State Hospital School of Nursing, where she became a Registered Nurse. She was very passionate about her work, especially with the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Auxiliary. She was a St. Theresa’s Eucharistic Minister. Her involvement, generosity and passionate caring for others will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.

Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Drums, Pa.

A social-distanced walk-thru viewing will be held Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Daniel J. Hughes Funeral and Cremation Service, 617 Carey Ave., Wilkes-Barre.

CDC guidelines must be followed including wearing facial covering, masks and maintaining social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Wyoming Valley Chapter of American Red Cross or Wyoming Valley Needs of Luzerne Foundation.