Maria Lillian (Lombardo) Genova

Maria Lillian Lombardo Genova, age 85, passed away early Thursday morning at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Michael Phillip Lombardo and Anna Ragusa Lombardo and wife of the late Angelo Anthony Genova. She was also preceded in death by a dear cousin she considered her sister, Anita Tecarr. Maria was retired from the Wayne County Public Schools, working for many years in the cafeteria and as a custodian at  Southern Wayne High School. She was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Mt. Olive. She served as a lector at both St. Mary Catholic Church in Goldsboro and Mt. Olive. She loved to paint pictures, winning many awards, was an avid reader and food critic, while also enjoying scrabble with her children and grandchildren. She crocheted baby blankets for the Wayne Pregnancy Center.

A funeral mass to celebrate her life will be held Saturday at 10:00 am at the St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Mt. Olive with Father James F. Garneau officiating. Entombment will follow the service at Wayne Memorial Park Mausoleum. Family members will gather Friday evening at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 pm to visit with family and friends and remember the life of Maria.

Maria is survived by her sons, Michael Genova of Goldsboro, Joseph (Phyllis) Genova of Gilbert, AZ,; daughters, Marie (John) Kennedy of Dudley, NC, Linda LoVetro of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren, Danny (Wallietra) Lynch of Atlanta, GA, David Lynch of Georgia, Shannon Lynch of Louisiana, Vanessa (Hugh) Mallard of Wilmington, NC, Anthony LoVetro of Wilmington, NC, Felicia Lynch of Wilmington, NC, Ashley Kelly of Mt. Olive, NC, Aidyn LoVetro of Wilmington, NC, Nicole Genova, Gilbert, AZ; Great Grandchildren, Makayla & DeAngelo Lynch of Atlanta, GA, Asher Kelly of Mt. Olive, NC, Sophia LoVetro of Chicago, IL, and Avery Lynch of Wilmington, NC; and a very special cousin, Cathy Ursini.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Genova family and online condolences may be sent to www.shumate-faulk.com.

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