Geneviève "Shani" Chesnel Richards died peacefully in her home, surrounded by her children on December 20, 2017. Her death marks the end of a hallowed family era and closes the earthly chapter of a life incredibly lived.
Geneviève was born to Alphonse Alexandre Chesnel and Victorine Léonie Charlotte Antoine on July 14, 1924 in Évreux, France where she grew up alongside her beloved siblings Bernard, Elizabeth, François, and Philippe.
In 1944, she met American serviceman Dr. Harlow Gill Richards at a dance celebrating the liberation of her town from the German occupation. They continued their courtship through written letter and, following the war, she immigrated to Utah where they were married on June 25, 1946 and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 25, 1952.
Geneviève was known for her extraordinary culinary skills and her gracious way of hosting friends and family. She had a deep love of reading and volunteered with the Friends of the Library for many years. She was an avid tennis player.
Geneviève accepted life's challenges with a remarkable combination of grace, resolve, wit and wisdom.
She is survived by her five loving children: Ronald Chesnel Richards of Salt Lake City, UT; Shari-Lynne Creer (Richard, deceased) of Ogden, UT; Michael Gill Richards (Christine) of Salt Lake City, UT; Quentin Farnsworth Richards (Charlene) of Ogden, UT; and Teri-Leigh Jenson (Robert L.) of Clyde Hill, WA. She was Grand-mère to 18 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren and was adored by her entire family, both near and far.
We are all losing a true friend: our favorite person to chat with, who was unfailingly loyal, offered wise advice, and whose home was opened to us as a haven of warmth and happiness throughout our lives.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 28 at 1 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. A visitation will be held in the same location just prior to the services, from 11:30 a.m. ‚ 12:30 p.m. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.
As we face this earthly good-bye with heavy hearts, we will strive to take courage - just as she chose to time after time throughout her life - with utmost gratitude for her, our inimitable Grand-mère.
A celui qui est le plus révéré: Peux-tu savoir combien tu es et sera toujours aimé.
