Eugenie "Genie" Rebecca Ybarra

Thanksgiving of 2014, Genie became yellow and had insatiable itching all over her body. After two days of intense doctor’s appointments and a scope test, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. MD Anderson would take her on as a patient, provide medical treatment, and perform surgery. She did everything anyone ever told her, plus more. May of 2015, she was without any sign of cancer. For four years and ten months, Genie lived without any concern. January of 2020, after a routine scan, pancreatic cancer was found again. For the next three years, she followed the treatment plan that MD Anderson set again, this time with newer technology and more information specific to her tumor. This past Thanksgiving was Genie’s 9-year anniversary of her first diagnosis. Every single doctor and medical professional she ever met was in absolute awe of Genie. The strength, determination, stubbornness and fight she had amazed every individual she ever met. Even till her final days, she was fighting the fight. Her oncologist and other doctors have said: “We loved having her as a patient.”; “Genie was our favorite patient. She was a real treat to treat.”; “She is a miracle.”

Genie grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in a house that her father built. As a child, she was doted on by her most treasured five aunts who would do their best at teaching Genie how to cook and sew, neither of which stuck very well. But the adventure with the aunts to their family cabin in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina would be the best memories as a child that Genie would share over and over. Aunt Myrtle’s cabin was a yearly summer adventure that was a constant in Genie’s childhood years. Summer after summer at the camp, her father would once again be the architect and construction crew, all of which Genie was co-planner of. The times at the cabin provided the most cherished memories of Genie’s childhood.

Alongside the aunts, her cousins in Baton Rouge would be the next constant in Genie’s life. She had a special bond with her female cousins: Becky, Elizabeth- who became her goddaughter, and Mary Morgan. Genie connected to each of them in a unique relationship that would continue through the rest of Genie’s life, filled with late night phone calls, hours of playing cards, and of course sharing desserts.

Moving to Houston, Texas in 1971 to begin her first teaching job and then to pursue her master’s in education at the University of Houston, would forever change her life- allowing Genie to truly blossom. Genie would meet her best friend Diana Franklin, who became at first a roommate, then her European, Mexico, and Hawaii travel partner. But most significantly, Diana and Genie were each other’s constant support system in life. Teaching would also connect her to Nanci Seawell, who also became a dear friend, and coincidentally found out they were distant cousins from somebody’s left side of the family…or was it the right? Nanci and Genie would travel with a bus full of schoolteachers every first weekend of November down to Mexico. For over 20 years, their yearly bus trip down to Laredo was a weekend filled of shopping for jewelry and cuba libres at Cadillac’s! But most importantly in 1977 in Houston, she would meet her husband, Nicky Ybarra, after he asked her to dance one night at Barbary Coast, the bar at Diana and Genie’s apartment complex.

Genie and Nicky Ybarra were married for 40 years. It was well known that they were oil and water; yet couldn’t live without each other. In 1981, they had a daughter, Megan, who was the light to both of their lives. That, they could agree on. As a family of 3, they would often travel to Louisiana, California, Loredo, New England, and that one time to Florida in 1990. Galveston was continually a weekend drive, even though Genie hated the sand. But the constant family fun for the Ybarra’s was wallpapering the house, tearing down walls, tiling room after room, and rearranging furniture. But the house was still never done. After retirement for both Nicky and Genie, they would enjoy trying new restaurants all around Houston, become avid movie goers, and driving as many times as they were invited to Dallas for weekend visits.

As an elementary school teacher and early educator for 40 years, she had plenty of loving stories of all the antics and shenanigans of the children she taught and adored. She had a remarkable ability to connect with each and every student. As their teacher, she transformed the lives of her students and created such an impact on them during her tenure, many would stay in touch and continually invite her to major milestones of their own- graduation, marriage, etc.

One might say, Genie’s most rewarding moments in life were being a loving and devoted mother. But her greatest achievement was ditching the name Genie, to become the best Gigi to her granddaughter, Charlie, in March of 2016. Gigi and PopPop moved up to Dallas shortly after, to never live more than half a mile away from Charlie. Gigi would become a part time caretaker and full-time nap companion for Charlie. For the next seven years, the two created a bond of love and adoration that is unmeasurable to this day.

Eugenie (Genie) Rebecca Roberts was born on July 26, 1948 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Omer Lonnie Roberts and Mary-Beulah (Sue) Harrell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Teofilo (Nicky) Ybarra. She is survived by her most treasured human being, her granddaughter Charlotte Emilie Haney, her beloved bonus son, Charles Michael Haney, and her daughter Megan Rebecca Ybarra Haney. Her chosen sisters in life were Diana Franklin and Sharon Collins- the best backdoor neighbor anyone could ever ask for.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, December 15th at 10:00 am at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Plano, Texas. Reception to follow immediately after. Please feel free to celebrate Genie’s favorite colors (green, pink, and purple) in your attire at the service.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Genie Ybarra, please consider donating to MD Anderson of Houston, TX. In Genie’s words: “That place saved my life.”

The storm that was sent to break you, is going to be the storm that God uses to make you. Amen.