Genevieve Kirsch, 97

Genevieve Moodey Kirsch (Sugar) died on January 26, 2025 at the age of 97.  She was born on October 18th, 1927 to the Reverend Christopher Russell and Genevieve Moodey of Muncie, Indiana. She was the second of four daughters: Christine Anne (Barnes), Mary Reynolds (Sutherland), and Sara (Sally) Elstun (O’Sullivan), all deceased:

In Genevieve’s own words:

By good fortune, parishioners of Reverend Moodey’s church extolled Klinger Lake in Sturgis as a vacation spot. Because of WWII, we could not travel to Reverand Moodey’s home in New Jersey. For several years we rented, then bought the “Respite” cottage on Watson Road, not far from the Kirsch summer home.

At age 12, I met John W. (Jack) Kirsch. We were number one to each other ever since. The Moodey daughters were not allowed to marry until after graduation from college, so two weeks after graduation (BFA-Kappa Kappa Gamma), Jack and I were married in my father’s church in Muncie, Indiana- June 25th, 1949. We celebrated our 72nd anniversary in 2021. Jack passed away in November that year.

We had three sons:· Christopher John (deceased),· Nicholas Russell (m. Lyla) of Scottsdale, Arizona and Mark Moodey (m. Allison) of Sturgis, and their beautiful children: Katherine Kirsch, Genevieve Kirsch Myhre (m. Mats), Luke John Kirsch, Emily Kirsch Hernandez (m. Robert), Caroline Kirsch, Megan Kirsch Barry (m. Dan); great grandchildren include: Matson and Lilla Myhre, Wesley and Harrison Hernandez and Clara Barry (soon).

Besides my dear family: So thankful for my right hand – my dear niece Anne Christine Barnes, Vivian Vannest, Jack’s longtime secretary and friend to us, Betsy Pryser, Terri Swihart, Nurse Kathy Stewart – who helped make Thurston Woods a perfect retirement home in so many ways. Also, my Ophthalmologist Dr. Kathleen DeHorn, who kept my one eye working and useful for so many years. Oil painting was always my first desire and activity- time permitting, followed by reading.

We moved permanently back to Klinger Lake, our “magic lake”, in 1978. My activities in the community included: St. John’s Episcopal Church board, St. Anne’s Guild- 40 years, Altar Guild- 40 years, Sunday School teacher- 6 years, Many other church activities i.e. Many years cooking and serving the Friday Friendship lunches, many committees, loved bridge club, painting, gardening, entertaining and reading, Life-long member of the Klinger Lake Country Club and served many committees.

Traveled the world with Jack on business trips and vacations, including around the world on the Concord – indescribable! Served on the Sturgis Hospital Board when we built the “new” building, and joined several guilds, Board member of the Council of the Arts, Taught English as a second language and Literacy Council students at the Sturgis Library, Den Mother for the Cub Scouts- 6 years, Board member at the White Pigeon Library- 6 years.

In honoring Mrs. Kirsch’s wishes private services will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Salvation Army, or Camp Fort Hill

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.