Kathleen L. Genovese, age 69 years, of Manchester Township, NJ, died peacefully on Friday, October 12, 2018 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on December 11, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Eleanor Anderson McShea and the late Edward McShea, Kathleen lived her married life in Cranford, NJ where she raised her children. Later, she bought a home in Manchester, NJ, and had resided there for the past eight years.

A graduate of Fort Hamilton High School, Brooklyn, NY, Kathleen was most proud of her studies at Union County College, Cranford, NJ.

She was currently working as Secretary to the Chief United States Probation Officer, Newark, NJ, a position she has held since 1992. She was very proud of her job and poured her heart and soul into everything she did.

When reflecting on Kathleen, many adjectives come to mind the first being kind, loving, caring, gentle, vivacious, bubbly, great sense of humor, infectious laugh, a genuine listener, and an energy that was simply contagious.

She will be remembered as a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, whose generosity and kindness touched all she encountered. Kathleen never met a stranger, because everyone was a friend.

She loved swimming on the local swim team as a young girl, and modeling.  She was stunningly beautiful on the inside and out. Later, she also taught swimming to young children.

She enjoyed the beach and traveling, especially to Atlantic City, NJ and Las Vegas, NV. Fond memories of family vacations at the Jersey Shore, especially Ocean Grove, NJ, and Wildwood, NJ, would be some of her most remembered and treasured memories as that time was spent with family.

You would often find her dancing to some of her favorite songs, “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It”.  She also enjoyed and loved Fleetwood Mac.

Kathleen’s capacity to love was incredible. Not only her friends benefited, but animals also gave her joy. Her children know that she is surely with her faithful companions in Heaven. Her cherished German shepherds, Star, Shadow, and Enya; Oliver, her English setter; and her two cats, Max and Muffin.

She also enjoyed countless hours of volunteering. As long as she was helping others, she was happy and content.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are two daughters, Lauren Genovese of Marlboro, NJ, Allison and her husband, Kevin Slattery of Cranford, NJ; one son, Daniel Genovese and his wife, Jessie, of Berkeley Heights, NJ; two sisters, Eileen and her husband, Cesar Perez of Manchester, NJ, Patrice and her husband, John Becker of Sayville, NJ; a brother, William and his wife, Lisa McShea of Brooklyn, NY; four grandchildren, Braeden, Ashlyn, Jake, and Mick; many nieces, nephews and extended family; and many dear friends.

Life celebration services will be announced under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, was private under the direct supervision of the Wright & Ford Family Licensed Care Team.

Please visit Kathleen’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mary’s Place by the Sea, 22 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756, which provides a place for women with cancer to heal: mind body and soul. Any and all contributions would be greatly appreciated.