Genie was born in Newton to the late Michael Angelo and Eugenie Marie (Bouquet) Lorenzo. She was a lifelong resident of Sussex County, and graduated from Newton High School in 1961 before attending the Wilfred Academy of Beauty. Genie had a successful 36-year career in Real Estate that she retired from in 2019.
As the true farm girl she was, Genie loved Holstein cows and was the treasurer of the NJ Holstein Association for more than 40 years. She was the first New Jersey State Dairy Princess and an active supporter of 4-H. Genie was a respected dairy cattle judge officiating many shows throughout the country; she was a pioneer for women dairy judges. Genie was a loyal fan of the NY Yankees and Penn State Wrestling. She was fiercely proud of her Italian heritage and found great joy in preparing family holiday meals. Genie also enjoyed gardening. Above all else, her daughters were the pride of her life and she was especially proud of her granddaughter, Cierra.
In addition to her parents, Genie was also predeceased by her aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband, Ken Roberts; her daughters, Lisa Sonnen (Adam) and Yvette Francisco (Steven); her granddaughter, Cierra Grace Sonnen; her brothers, Michael Lorenzo (Dottie) and Richard Lorenzo (Cindy); her extended family, Christian Roberts, Crystal Schuh, Lisa Beam and Deanna Seery; her nephews and niece, Matthew Lorenzo (Heather), Michael Lorenzo (Rachael) and Anne Lorenzo; and her great-nieces, Wren and Vienna Lorenzo.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday August 23, 2023, at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday August 24, 2023, at the funeral home; burial will follow in Frankford Plains Cemetery, Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ.
Memorial donations may be made to: The National Dairy Shrine, 401 Whitewater Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 in memory of Genie Roberts for the Student Scholarship Fund or to Hampton Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 648, Augusta, NJ 07822. Online condolences may be made to www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com
