Genevieve C Vida

Genevieve Vida was born in New England, North Dakota on January 28, 1926.  She was the fifth of nine children born to Emma and George Heidt.  George had a small farm near South Heart, North Dakota and it was very difficult feeding his large family during the depression. They lived in a three-room farmhouse and slept three children to a bed. 

Genevieve married John Zenker in 1947 and had a daughter, Linda, in 1948.  Genevieve always worked and was even a bartender for a short time at a posh bar in Dickinson, North Dakota.  She and John divorced in 1953, and Genevieve made a bold move as a single mother and relocated to San Francisco, CA.  She worked as a receptionist at Ames Harris, a camping equipment manufacturing company, and made ends meet by sharing a small apartment with a roommate.  In 1960, she married Steven Vida and their son, Alex, was born in 1962 and a daughter, Laura, born in 1963.  Genevieve and Steven divorced in 1997.

Genevieve worked for the Operating Engineers Union in SF as a worker’s compensation clerk for many years until she retired. She was a member of St. Teresa de Avila parish and sang in their choir for many years. She took flute lessons and played for over 20 years and had numerous other hobbies.  She had a huge love for animals and rescued four dogs and eight cats over many years.  The cats would show up at her back door, get fed, move inside, and be well cared for the rest of their lives.  She was a staunch 49er’s fan and loved to watch Steph Curry and the Warriors.  Genevieve loved the City of San Francisco and lived her entire adult life there until her death at home on December 29, 2019.  She also maintained close ties to her relatives in North Dakota.

Genevieve was an amazing woman. Her most often repeated phrase this past year was “I love you.”  This was said to family members, care givers, nurses, and most people that she encountered.  Genevieve will always be remembered for her kindness and generosity, her love of family and friends, her love and care for animals, and her beautiful singing voice.

Genevieve is survived by one younger brother, Paul; her three children Linda, Alex and Laura; three grandchildren Karl, Jesse and Jordan, and one great grandchild Brianna, who now plays Genevieve’s flute.

in Lieu of flowers please donate to rocketdogrescue.org 

Reception to follow services from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at:

Eric’s Chinese Restaurant
1500 Church Street at 27th Street
San Francisco CA 94131
415-282-0919
 

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