Genevieve Allen (née Genevieve Granek), a longtime resident of Great Neck, passed away peacefully at Evergreen Woods in North Branford, CT, on Tuesday, April 2. She was 82.
Daughter of the late Kalma Granek and Ruchla Prajs Granek, Genevieve was born in Paris, France, on March 10, 1937, and lived in Moissac, France, until moving to New York at age 10.
Genevieve graduated from Queens College with a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Language and later helped foreign students learn English through the ESL program. After being a devoted stay-at-home mother, she returned to Queens College for her Master’s of Library Science. She was a reference librarian at the Great Neck Library for more than 30 years, where she enjoyed assisting patrons with research on a multitude of topics and staying up-to-date with the most current research techniques. She prided herself on being an early advocate of the Internet.
Genevieve loved to laugh and never minded hearing the same joke twice, as long as it was a good one. She enjoyed taking daily walks with her husband—especially on the beach in Ogunquit, Maine—gardening, cooking, birdwatching, socializing with friends and listening to music. An avid reader, she belonged to the same book club in Great Neck for more than 20 years. Endowed with an adventurous nature and curious mind, Genevieve loved trying new things and was always eager to master the latest innovation or technology, no matter what her age.
Genevieve was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. In spite of various hardships, she possessed a joie de vivre. Above all else, she was a survivor, and she will be missed, every single day, by those who have survived her.
She is survived by her loving husband of more than 60 years, Harry Allen, of North Branford, CT; son Richard Allen (and wife, Sue) of Marlborough, MA; daughter Renée Allen of Guilford, CT; and four grandchildren, Rebecca, Megan, Hannah and John.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The National Audubon Society at https://action.audubon.org/donate/make-tribute-gift.
