Obituary of Genevieve Dereta

DERETA, Genevieve October 29, 1924 - August 4, 2011 Gene lived her life with a joyful energy and generous spirit which was the envy of all who knew her. Love for family above all else was the value she so passionately encouraged in her children, grandchildren, friends and family. Her eternal optimism and enduring enthusiasm kept her forever young at heart. She always chose happiness, loved country music and Elvis gospel, was an avid traveler, and driver extraordinaire. Her car was her best friend, but her children and grandchildren were the true loves of her life. Born Genevieve Petrisor, Gene grew up on the farm, first in Saskatchewan and later in Copetown, Ontario, before marrying Jake (John) Dereta in 1942 and settling in Stoney Creek to raise their three daughters, Arlene, Joanne and Cindy. They successfully ran Dereta General Contracting and were then proud owners of Peter’s Home Hardware on Hwy #8 in Stoney Creek. After Jake’s death in 1982, Gene devoted her life to her cherished grandchildren, partying and vacationing with all of them, far and wide at any and every opportunity. In the final phase of her career, Gene had an integral role as caterer and chief pie maker for Just Like Mom’s Catering, the career she loved most of all. Her pies and butter tarts are renowned throughout the community. After losing her life to cancer, Gene leaves her children Arlene Loyer, Joanne Dereta (Bill Papageorge), and Cindy (Eugene) Kahgee, and her grandchildren Koel, Kirsti, Jazzmyn, Angel and Nick. She also leaves her siblings Edna Yovanov, Florence Brendon, Wayne (Georgina) Peterson, Allan (Mary) Petrisor and Tom (Linda) Peterson as well as her many nieces and nephews and a multitude of special friends. Visitors will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive in Stoney Creek on Sunday, August 7th, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and Monday August 8th 5-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be at The Stoney Creek United Church, corner of Lake Avenue and King Streets on Tuesday, August 9th at 1:00 p.m. Anyone who would like to attend to honour Gene is welcomed by the Dereta family. Flowers are welcome; as are donations to The Bob Kemp Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.donaldvbrown.ca