On September 24 , 1927 Maria Balgenorth Thomas who was very pregnant at the time, attended the Springfield fair (now known as "The Big E")with her sister Catherine a registered nurse. On that very day, Maria went into labor at the fair grounds. What must have been a frantic car ride ensured that Genevieve would be born back home in Bristol Ct. Her delivery would not be an easy one ,as Genevieve was breach. But into the world she arrived as a blue baby struggling to survive, but true to her character she did. Her life would be a relatively short 49 years, but she accomplished much more than most who live twice as long. She was the oldest daughter of Maria (Mary) Balgenorth and James D. Thomas. Her sister Marie would be born in 1929. Jenny spent her entire life living at the family home at 445/447 West St. in Bristol Ct. If I had to sum up her life, I would characterize her as a "woman chosen by God , to fulfill a preordained mission". She was a beautiful person on both the inside and out, and had a positive impact on all lives she touched. She attended Bingham School (Northside School) and Bristol High School graduating in 1945. She then attended St Francis School of Nursing in Hartford. She was in training for the Army Nurse Core for WWII. Life had other plan for Jenny, and a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis while barely into her 20 years prevented her from continuing on to a career as a nurse. Treatments for the condition were a success but she would suffer silently in chronic pain for the remainder of her life, never complaining or bitter. Jenny, then enrolled in St. Joseph's College graduating in 1951 with a teaching degree. She was a natural born teacher and it truly was her gift. She began her career at the Linden School in Plainville Ct as a Kindegarten Teacher. In 1952 she married Gordon J. Kilduff at St. Joseph's Church in Bristol Ct. She temporarily left teaching to raise their four children: Mary (1954),Martha and James (1956) and Ann (1960).Another calling awaited her , and she returned as a Special Education Teacher for the Bristol Public School System. She thrived on helping those in need. Dedicated to the core, she fought for and supported those students in her charge. When the system denied those needs due to budget constraints,policies or other issues she would provide supplies of her own or seek out other avenues. She loved her students and was their great champion. When the Bristol teachers went on strike Jenny refused to walk with them,not because she didn't agree with their complaints, but because with all her soul she knew that it was morally wrong to abandon students who already had such tremendous obstacles to cope with. Jenny and her husband Gordon James were very active in the St. Joseph's Church community. Both were members of the Catholic Club, and Parish Council, but it was in Religious Education where both would receive their calling. Jenny served God for many years as the C.C.D. coordinator until He called her home. Again , she stood up for the children , always placing what was in their best intrest first and foremost. Her single most rewarding achievement was as founder of the "Holy Innocents" program. This was a unique CCD program with cirriculum designed for special education students. The success of the program was evident by the number of students that enrolled not just from St. Joseph's, but from all around the greater Bristol area. Jenny always strived to answer a calling from God, and to watch her teach special education students was to see her talents being used to serve Him to the Utmost. Unselfish, Loving, gentle but tough are just a few word that describe a woman so in tune with the Lord ,so willing to give all and ask nothing in return. Her family as well as all the lives she touched in her brief time on this earth learned lessons that can only be taught by example. She knew that real teachers don't just assign lessons and bark out orders, they lead by example. A teacher to her core not just in the classroom but in life. In 1976 Jenny was diagnosed with Lymphoma. She died on January 15, 1977 at the age of 49. She left this world just as she had entered and lived it,fighting to survive and yet surrendering to God's will when called Home.