Genevieve Pillsbury

Genevieve Pillsbury, 93, of Petersburg, died on October 28 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village, surrounded by family. Born on October 11, 1929, in Elmhurst, Illinois, Genevieve was the daughter of Harold and Mabel (Chapell) Safford. She graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1947 and attended Elmhurst College for one year, graduating from Illinois State University in 1951. She married Earl Lyman Pillsbury in Wheaton, Illinois, on June 13, 1954. Mrs. Pillsbury was a school teacher for 31 years, having taught kindergarten in Pahala, Hawaii and at Harvard Park and Enos Schools in Springfield, Illinois, before she married. She was a longtime kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher for the PORTA School District in Petersburg, retiring in 1992. She was a member of the Petersburg United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, the Menard County Garden Club, the Petersburg Women’s Club, the New Salem Lincoln League, the Menard County Historical Society, and the Illinois Retired Teachers’ Association. She also attended New Hope Baptist Church, served as a member of the Edgar Lee Masters Memorial Museum Board, and delivered Meals on Wheels. Gerrie enjoyed sports on TV and radio, reading, and traveling, but most of all, she treasured spending time with all of her family. Mrs. Pillsbury is survived by her six children: Paula (Rob) Throckmorton and Doug (Teresa) Pillsbury of Petersburg, Howard (Jill) Pillsbury of Chatham, Pam (Dave) Behrens of Naples, Florida, Scott (Mindy Summers) Pillsbury of Springfield, and Patty (Mike) Heder of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. She was fondly known as Grandma Gen to her 20 grandchildren: April, Rachel, Krista, Sarah, Abigail, Rebecca, Bryan, Zachary, Spencer, Kelsey, Landon, Meghan, Britanie, Blaine, Alexis, Corbin, Chandler, Quinten, Mallory, and Makenzy, and 32 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Kathie (John) McConnell of Long Beach, California, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl, a granddaughter, Alexis Gen Pillsbury, a brother, Bill Safford, and a sister, Betty Kernahan. Services will be held at Hurley Funeral Home on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 A.M. with her nephew, Rev. Michael Swartz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Her burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery Memorials may be made to PORTA Central for Central Park Garden, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, the Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society, St. Jude, or a church of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.

Genevieve Pillsbury

October 11, 1929 - October 28, 2022

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