Eugenia Eason

Eugenia “Genie” Eason, age 60, of Scranton, passed away on Apr. 04 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

Eugenia (Genie) Lea Eason was born on Jan. 23, 1954 to Wilbur Warren (Curly) and Helen A. (Caulkins) Eason of Scranton. In her 60 years of life, Genie was defined less by her Down Syndrome and more by her optimistic spirit and friendly nature. She was a student in the first special education classes in Greene County and was a proud graduate of East Greene High School in 1974. Genie was one of five young women who were the first employees of the newly established Greene County Sheltered Workshop when it opened in 1975. It soon became Genesis Development and through the years Genie worked in the corrugated box manufacturing facility, the recycling center, the janitorial program, the laundry service for the Jefferson business community. Genie also delivered the Jefferson Bee newspaper for several years. She was proud to be a productive member of her community and was honored for 35 years of employment in September 2010.  

Genie loved being a Rainbow girl and was a member of the Scranton Order of Rainbow Girls. She was a very loyal fan of the Scranton Trojan basketball teams and divided her loyalties equally between the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes as well. She was a track and field participant in Special Olympics at the local, regional and state levels and she bowled most of her adult life. She lived in the Jefferson community for over 30 years and was most recently a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids. Genie loved music, movies, dancing and picnics. Taking an interest in politics, she advocated for the rights of the disabled and never missed voting for an American president. Genie greeted everyone she knew warmly and she loved and was loved by her friends and her family.

Genie is survived by her parents; her sisters: Rebecca Opalinski of Parker, Colorado, Amy Bruns and brother-in-law Michael Bruns of Natick, Massachusetts and Carol Eason of Herndon, Virginia; nieces: Rachel, Madeline and Elizabeth Bruns, Brooke Opalinski and nephew Logan Opalinski.  

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.  

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Apr. 8 at the United Methodist Church in Scranton with Rev. Lynn Gunderson officiating. Visitation was at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton from 5-7 p.m. on Apr. 7. The casket was moved to the church at 8:30 a.m. on Apr. 8 where visitation resumed until the time of service. Music for the service was by Cheryl Nailor, Karen Murphy and Bob Reck. Burial was in the Scranton Township Cemetery.

Casket bearers were Mike Mullihan, Wendell Caulkins, Ken Caulkins, Terry Eason, Michael Bruns, Logan Opalinski, Phillip Eason and Curt Eason. Honorary casket bearers were Genie’s friends and staff of Genesis Development. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Genesis Development in Jefferson or to the Special Olympics and they can be left at the funeral home or the church.  

Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton, 712-652-3350, www.dahnandwoodhouse.com