Genevieve Mary Boyce

Genevieve Mary Boyce

Genevieve "Gen" Mary (May) Boyce, 91, of Cut Bank, passed away surrounded by her loving family Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Northern Rockies Medical Center in Cut Bank.

At her request cremation has taken place and private family graveside services are planned for Friday, Jan. 11, at Calvary Cemetery in Havre. Whitted Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.

Gen, the youngest of eight children, was born on Jan. 16, 1921, in Havre, to Frank and Agnes May. She spent her childhood on the family farm southeast of Havre and later the family moved into Havre. Her father passed away at the early age of 44, leaving her mother to raise all eight children. Gen attended St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Havre High in 1939. She was captain of the girls basketball team, enjoyed attending rodeos and barn dances. She was also a jockey during the Chinook Fair horse races, placing third on Lord Havoc, a retired race horse from England that she purchased from the stockyards in Havre.

In 1944 she married Leo Boyce in Great Falls. Together they had five children: Pat, Diane, Bob, Shirley and Becky. Leo always said she was "the best square dancer around. " In 1956 the family moved to Cut Bank where Leo worked as a government trapper. He passed away in 1996 after retiring from Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Gen worked as a CNA for 34 years in the Cut Bank hospital and nursing home, retiring in 1996 at the age of 75. She was a very loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother who always put her family first. She loved children and always had a house full of grandkids. When she wasn't busy with her children or grandchildren she was out in her yard watering flowers or filling her birdfeeders.

Genevieve Mary Boyce

Sports also played a major role in her daily life. When she was no longer able to attend the local sporting events, she listened to every one of them on the radio. Her favorite team was the Utah Jazz, but she enjoyed watching any and all athletic events. She had a wonderful memory and loved to share stories of her life with all of her family. We will forever hold and cherish all of these memories close to our hearts. She was an amazing role model and inspiration to us all and will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her children, Pat Smith of Livingston, Diane Andersen of Cut Bank, Bob Boyce of Havre, Shirley (Darrel) Briese of Havre and Becky (Dean) Peterson of Cut Bank; 17 grandchildren, Theresa, Genevieve, Ken, Mike (Annette), Rich, Angela, Jim, Barry (Jackie), Corey (Ben), Amanda (Josh), Levi (Ashley), Erika, Adam, Beau, Chad (Sarah), Andrea and Bret; 17 great-grandchildren, Aaron, Allen, Christina, RJ, Sabrina, Gilbert, Logan, Reedie, Jackie, Tegan, Colt, Sarah, Bree, Alli, Addisyn, Elyse and Brody; and two great-great grandchildren, Kayden and Cookie.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leo; her parents; brothers, Raymond May, Frank May and Joseph May; sisters, Dorothy Oglesby, Josephine Owens, Florence Filler and Peggy Luckett.

Condolences may be posted at http://www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.