Obituary of Genon Mae Astley

Genon (Theroux) Astley passed away peacefully on Dec. 6, 2012, in the Wainwright, (Alberta) Extendicare, where she had lived for six years. Left to cherish her memory are: her daughter, Gwyneth (Astley) and son-in- law Harold Gulbraa; Grandson, Cooper Gulbraa; sister, Irma (Carl)Soneff, sisters in law: Marlene and Yvonne Astley as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Genon was predeceased by her husband, Roscoe; sister, Elsie; “brother”, Donald (Dagg); parents, George and Olivia Theroux; parents in law Hiram and Levesa Dell Astley; brothers in law: Max, Roy, Erben and Doug Astley; sister in law Fern Astley; “son”, Stanley Brady; cherished cousin, Hazel Schnell, and long-time friend, Gwyneth Peel, as well as some cousins, aunts and uncles. Genon was the middle child of George and Olivia Theroux, and grew up in a stone house north of Jarrow. Schooling took her from the Batt Valley, to Irma, Kinsella, and finally Camrose Lutheran College, where she graduated; soon after she obtained her teaching certificate (CLC) and went on to teach at Willow View, Rodino, Coal Springs, and Jarrow. When she was teaching at Willow View, she met a local farmer named Roscoe Herb Astley; they were married on July 24, 1948, and lived on a small farm north of Minburn. They had one daughter, Gwyneth Irene. Genon taught and was principal of Albert School then transferred to Irma where she taught primarily Grade Three for 16 years. Ross passed away in 1973; Genon and Gwyneth moved to Irma, where Genon retired in 1986. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter and a “no nonsense” teacher who really cared about her students. Passions included travelling, gardening, cooking and spending time with her family especially her only grandchild, Cooper Leigh Gulbraa. She researched, documented, and compiled three family histories: Astley, Theroux, and Knudson. Genon was a faithful member of the Irma Alliance Church and had many friends/colleagues who thought highly of her. In the fall of 2003 she moved to the Battle River Lodge in Wainwright and then in 2006, a victim of Alzheimer’s, spent her remaining days being lovingly tended to in the Wainwright Extendicare Facility.