Geneva Kesey Jolley

Geneva Kesey Jolley Geneva passed away on December 5, 2017, at home, at 101 years of age. She was born on October 22, 1916, to Robert & Ophelia Smith in Charleston, Arkansas. Geneva’s Arkansas roots were strong, and she shared stories of snakes, tornado alarms, storm cellars, the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Geneva married Fred Kesey in Florence, Colorado in 1931 and they took up residence in La Junta, Colorado. They had two sons: Ken Kesey, born in 1935, and Joe ‘Chuck’ Kesey, born in 1938. In 1942, Fred joined the Navy and the family relocated to Boyes Hot Springs, California for the three years of his service. After the war, the family moved to Oregon and settled in Springfield. Fred was manager of Eugene Farmers Creamery for many years and Geneva was very involved in the dairy community, forging friendships that lasted a lifetime. Geneva also had many adventures as a young mother with hunting and fishing trips and pet raccoons, to name a few. Geneva’s husband, Fred, died in 1969 of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Geneva, not one to sit idle, soon found employment in the Better Dresses department of Meier and Frank in Eugene. Geneva married Ed Jolley in 1976. After they both retired, they began traveling the world together. They loved cruises and group travels. They also set out on their own in their RV. Geneva relished reading maps and finding new places to visit. For all 101 of her years, Geneva enjoyed an active social life. She found meaningful camaraderie in volunteering for charitable organizations; she was a member of the Eugene Elks Club, and a longstanding member and former officer of the Eugene Emblem Club. Geneva was also a charter member of the McKenzie-Willamette Hospital Auxiliary, as well as a member of the UO and the OSU Moms clubs. Geneva treasured her family above all things. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and spent countless hours supporting three generations of her family’s athletic and artistic endeavors. Geneva was also fully devoted to the care of her own mother, who died at the age of 102. She also maintained contacts with generations of relatives . She enjoyed loving relationships with her daughters-in-laws and cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always kind, hospitable, polite, witty and, of course, wickedly funny. The countless ‘Geneva one-liners’ will live on. Geneva is survived by her son, Joe “Chuck” Kesey (Sue), daughter-in-law, Faye Kesey McMurtry, as well as many loving and devoted family and friends including: Shannon Kesey Smith (Jay) and Kate & Jordan Smith, Sheryl Kesey Thompson (Bill) and Taylor, Blake & Grant Thompson, Kit Kesey (Ginger), and Hendrix & Wilson Kesey, Sunshine Kesey, Zane Kesey (Stephanie) and Caleb Kesey, Pierre Jolley, Jean Claude Jolley, Clare Fowler (Sam) and Cosette, Cole & Lucas Fowler, Michelle Watson (Pete) & Joshua Watson and many supportive nieces and nephews. Geneva was the glue that held our family together and we will, as Geneva would say,“miss her like thunder”. Geneva was preceded in death by her husbands, Fred Kesey and Edwin Jolley, brother Lester Smith, son Ken Kesey, and grandson Jed Kesey. A Celebration of Geneva’s Life will be held at the McDonald Theatre on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Geneva’s name to the Springfield Emblem Club # 506 Scholarship fund (1701 Centennial Blvd, Springfield, OR 97477) or the ALS Association Oregon (700 NE Multnomah St, Suite 210, Portland, OR 97232). Geneva’s family wishes to thank her devoted friends, neighbors, caregivers and Cascade Hospice, whose loving care and endless support allowed for Geneva to remain in her own home in Springfield. We are forever grateful. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.