Genevieve Poulos

Gennie was a born and bred Maine-ah. Born near Willard Beach in South Portland on October 23rd, 1928. She lived in Bar Harbor for a year with her mother and stepfather before returning back to South Portland to start first grade.

Willard beach was a huge part of her life. She remembered spending entire days there, not even leaving to go home for lunch. She would collect and cook periwinkles in a can on the beach rather than go home for lunch. Her grandfather, whom she adored, lobstered out of the shack on the point at Willard. As his 3-year-old “assistant”, she developed a passionate taste for lobster, which they would cook and eat at the lobster shack. He taught her the finer points to “correctly” eat a lobster, something she prided herself on.

Willard Beach was also where she met her husband-to-be, George Poulos. They were married on June 18th, 1950 at the Greek Church in Portland. They lived in Boston while George attended Boston University and got his degree in teaching, returning to settle permanently in Portland. Widowed in 1979, she remarried in 1981 to Phil Roberts.

Among the greatest joys and peaceful times in her life was singing in the choir at St Albans Mission church on Cottage rd. in South Portland. She discovered another joy right after high school when, receiving a gift set of oil paints from a boyfriend, she taught herself how to use them. It turned out to be an incredible gift that led to a career as an art teacher, a hobby, and a natural talent that she shared and passed on to her children and granddaughter. Her favorite medium was pencil, followed by acrylic painting. Her most unique and creative craft was her mushroom carvings, which were even featured on television. Late in life she proudly graduated Cum Laude from USM with a BA in Teaching & Art in 1970, and went on to teach art at a few different area schools.

Although art was one life-long passion, nothing else brought her greater joy then being a grandmother to her “little angel”, and only grandchild, Sarah. She would babysit Sarah when she was younger, play hide and seek for hours, take walks in the woods teaching her about the different wildflowers and little creatures, and was always down to share a chocolate ice cream cone. Being such an avid crossword puzzle and cryptoquip solver, she passed along her knowledge and love of puzzles to Sarah as well. She shared much love and wisdom with her granddaughter, along with a few scoldings and a whole lot of laughs.

As a young woman, she was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority where she served as president for 2 years. Continuing with her love for a gathering, she had Bi-weekly luncheons with her exercise group from the USM Sullivan gym, monthly luncheons with her high school friends, was on the Textron bowling team with her best friend from grammar and high school, and was never one to miss a bean or pot pie supper (the pride’s corner and Gorham bean hole supper being her favorites).

Gennie was certainly a nature lover. Her favorite hobbies included gardening, growing orchids, bird watching (cardinals were her favorite), deer feeding, story writing (often about little woodlands creatures), and going to the beach. Bar Harbor, where her family roots were, was one of her favorite spots to vacation with the family. She and her family also took many trips down to Plymouth Plantation because, after doing some genealogy work, they discovered she was a descendant of 29 Mayflower passengers and joined the Mayflower Society.

She attributed her ability to survive several forms of cancer and 5-way heart bypass to her rugged Yankee constitution. She also had an incredibly strong spirit. Ironically, “Survivor” was also her favorite television program.

She is predeceased by her husband George Poulos and her brother Harold Keezer. She is survived by her son, Greg Poulos; her daughter, Theanna Pateropoulos; her granddaughter, Sarah Hinman (her little angel); and her sister, Diana Gwinn of Florida.

The family would like to thank her incredible doctors, L. Stillson, J. Wight, S. Broaddus, and T. Van Der Kloot, for the years of care they provided, as well as the Hospice staff, Addie, Edie, Amy, Cheryl, Marie, Ruby, Anne, Barb, and Dr. Rona. She couldn’t have done it without them.

Family and friends are invited for a time of Visitation from 5-7 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, where a Funeral Service will be held at 7 pm. Interment will be held Privately at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers Gennie’s family would like Memorial contributions be made to either Hospice of Southern Maine 180 US Rte 1 Scarborough, Me 04074 or the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House 11 Hunnewell Drive, Scarborough, Me 04074