Harriet Genevieve Gennyvari Ii

Harriet Genevieve Iivari, 91, a long time resident of Kent, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2011 at Stow Glen Retirement Center. The oldest of five children, she was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan March 8, 1920 to Arthur and Gladys (McDowell) Ruggles. A 1937 graduate of Kent Roosevelt H.S., she also attended Kent State University. She was one of only six women hired at the new Ravenna Arsenal prior to World War II. Her experiences at the arsenal have been recorded at the Rosie the Riveter Museum in California. She also wrote a weekly column in the 1930-40s about Brady Lake for the Record Courier. Genevieve was a long time member of the Kent Methodist Church where she also served as a Sunday School teacher, church historian, president of the Kent Methodist Woman's Association, and kitchen hostess. In addition to her volunteer work at the church, Genevieve gave much of her time to other worthy causes. She was a girl scout leader, president and long time member of the Kent Chapter of "Meals on Wheels", President of DePeyster School PTA several times, active member Kent Senior Citizens, member of several informal sewing groups that made Christmas gifts for needy families, and the Kent Woman's Society.

She is survived by her son, Thomas of West Chester, Pennsylvania; grandson, Christian Iivari of Ashburn, Virginia; and granddaughters Samantha Iivari of Portsmouth, Virginia, Amanda Johnson of Clemson, South Carolina, and Dr. Alexis Jackson of Akron Ohio. Other survivors include son-in-law, Terry Johnson of Kent; and sister-in-law, Mary Ruggles of Ravenna.

Genevieve was preceded in death by Paul, her husband of 51 years; daughter, Nancy Johnson; brothers, James Ruggles and Nelson (Bud) Ruggles; and sisters, Mary Louis Ruggles and Isabel Jefferys.

Calling hours will be held 6-8 PM Tuesday, September 20 at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 21 at the United Methodist Church of Kent with Rev. Dr. David Palmer officiating. Burial will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Church of Kent, 1435 E. Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.