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ABEL Genevieve Camille
Birth: 8 Jan 1914 Keene, Tex.
Death: 14 Mar 2007 Redmond, Wash.
Notes
1940 in Los Angeles, Cal.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=genevieve-camille-
churchill&pid=86888093
Genevieve Camille CHURCHILL On March 14, 2007, at age 93, Genevieve Camille
Churchill began one more of the many voyages that have marked her life. Genevieve
was born January 8, 1914, in Keene, Texas, to Robert Perry Abel and Teresa Viola
Clark. At the age of 10, she and her younger sister, Evelyn boarded the HMS Empress
of Asia in Vancouver, sailed to Yokohama where they watched kimono-clad women
with woven baskets coal the ship, and then sailed on to Bangkok, Siam, where their
parents began nearly 30 years of service as Seventh-day Adventist missionaries.
Joined by a baby sister, Madora and pet cocker, Fido, the Abel family immersed itself
in all things Thai, becoming fluent in the lilting language and beloved cuisine of their
adopted homeland. After some years in Bangkok, the family moved "up-country" to
Ubol. From Ubol, the sisters, at 14 and 12 began another voyage, sailing Christmas
Eve down river to the South China Sea and up the coast to Shanghai, to attend Far
Eastern Academy until Genevieve's graduation. Leaving their parents in Siam, the
sisters sailed west through the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal and traveled on through
Europe back to the United States to attend Walla Walla College, Walla Walla,
Washington. There Genevieve met Ervin E. Nichols whom she married in 1936.
Following their graduation, Genevieve and Nick moved to Southern California where
"they" attended medical school at the College of Medical Evangelists (now Loma
Linda University). When Nick enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was transferred from
Pendleton, Oregon to Florida in support of World War II, Genevieve drove alone
across the United States to join him. When Nick was assigned to duty in Foggia, Italy,
Genevieve returned across the US again alone to Nick's home town Port Angeles,
Washington. Upon his return they moved again to Southern California to await the
return of Genevieve's parents who would be released from internment at the close of
the War. Genevieve and Nick had four daughters, Jacqueline, twins, Kathryn and
Patricia, and Pamela. While Nick practiced medicine, Genevieve made a home for him
and their daughters and developed an unparalleled culinary skill--canning, baking,
freezing, and ever embracing new ethnic cuisines. She graciously and regularly
welcomed a multicultural multitude around their ample oval table and delighted all with
her culinary excellence. At the end of her marriage to Nick, Genevieve returned to
Washington, settling finally in Redmond. There she met her second husband, Robert
Churchill whom she joined in his home on Lake Sammamish and with whom she
traveled, golfed, rooted for UW Huskies, regularly bested at Scrabble, doted on his
children and grandchild, and made another warm and welcoming home. When she
found herself alone again upon Bob's death, Genevieve chose and made her next
voyage to Helena, Montana ("heaven"), to live above the Gulch and with her new
friends at Aspen Gardens. Over her life, Genevieve played tennis, skied, was an
accomplished pianist, sewed extraordinary slip-covers although she proclaimed she
"couldn't sew," was the women's champion at Sahalee Country Club at age 80, and
shot at least one hole-in-one. Her chief accomplishment, she raised her own
daughters, did more than a little raising of her grandchildren, and was a steady
presence in the rearing of many friends' children who continually delighted her with
their children. Genevieve was preceded in death by her husbands, E. E. Nichols and
Robert Churchill, and her sisters, Evelyn and Madora. She is survived by her children,
Jacqueline (Peter) Lenmark, Kathryn Glenn, Patricia (Kent) Adams, and Pamela (James
Bender) Nichols, stepson, James (Sharon) Churchill, grandchildren, Christine (Stephen)
Trefzger, Paul (Trina) Lenmark, Shane Doe, Bradley Adams, Nancy (Kyle) Sundin, JP
(Alison) Adams, Alicia Adams, Carrie (Jonathan) Monschke, numerous great
grandchildren, and a faithful group of mates with whom she forged enduring
friendships in Bangkok, Shanghai, "medical school," Sahalee, and on her many other
voyages. Those who wish to memorialize Genevieve's life may make contributions to
the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the American Civil Liberties
Union, or a charity of their preference. Cremation has taken place. Private family
services to be held at a later time. Arrangements are in care of Retz Funeral Home of
Helena.
Published in The Seattle Times on Mar. 22, 2007
ssn no num issued in Cal in 1965
Parents
ABEL Robert Perry ()
CLARK Teresa Viola ()
Siblings
ABEL Genevieve Camille (8 Jan 1914 - 14 Mar 2007)
Marriage To NICHOLS Ervin Edson (23 Nov 1916 - 3 Mar 1998)
m. 1936
Notes
Parents
NICHOLS Ervin Enos (Aug 1878 - 21 Sep 1944)
AHOLA Anna Elizabeth (25 May 1886 - 23 Sep 1928)
Children by NICHOLS Ervin Edson 23 Nov 1916 - 3 Mar 1998
NICHOLS Jacqueline T. ()
NICHOLS Patricia Louise ()
NICHOLS Kathryn Ann ()
NICHOLS Pamela Jeanne ()
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