Genevieve Mary Brodbeck

Genevieve Mary Brodbeck, aged 90, of Mission Viejo, California, passed away on March 18, 2025 after a long illness. She was born on April 8, 1934 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While growing up, Genevieve enjoyed riding the streetcar to visit her grandmother Mary (“Bubba”) Yorkgitis in Monongahela. She also loved horses. During her high school years, Genevieve and her best friend Patricia Merino would walk up to the Gormley Stables hilltop behind the old St. Martin’s Catholic Church, rent horses, and ride to the West End (Bluff) Overlook Park to view the downtown Pittsburgh skyline. In 1952, she proudly graduated from Langley High School located in the Sheridan neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Genevieve lived in a time when few women went to college. She was extremely proud to attend a one year program at the Pinkerton Secretarial School earning a certificate in typing and shorthand. After graduating from Pinkerton, she worked full-time as a secretary for Koppers, Inc., a company then associated with steel manufacturing and chemical production. She was married for 10 years to Albert Carl Brodbeck, an engineering student and later a mechanical engineer. Genevieve continued to work for Koppers, Inc. until the birth of her first child. From 1957-1967, Genevieve spent happy years as a stay-at-home mom to her daughters Carolyn and Debra. From 1968-1973, Genevieve and her daughters lived in Columbus, Ohio. She supported her family through full-time employment at the Lazarus Department Store and the corporate headquarters of Borden Foods, Inc. In 1973, Genevieve returned to Pittsburgh to work again at Koppers, Inc. until the company closed their Pittsburgh office. She eagerly learned a range of computer skills and found full-time employment as an accounting clerk at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s billing office. In 1996, Genevieve retired. She was known for her long walks around Pittsburgh neighborhoods. In 2009, Genevieve moved to California to be closer to her two children, granddaughter, and son-in-law. She greatly enjoyed visits to Laguna Beach, Irvine Park, and walking around Orange County neighborhoods. Following a broken hip in 2023, Genevieve enjoyed community living in the Sandy Creek Care Home. She especially enjoyed daily visits to Pebble Creek Park in Lake Forest. Neighbors would talk to Genevieve and let her pet their dogs. Genevieve suffered a significant hearing loss in her early thirties and was known for her resilience. She greatly appreciated the patience and understanding of family members, coworkers, and board and care providers who assisted with her hearing loss needs.

Surviving family members include her daughters and son-in-law, Debra Ann Brodbeck and Carolyn Elizabeth (Marlon Fuentes) Brodbeck. Genevieve is also survived by her granddaughter Satya (Devin Norris) Fuentes. Her surviving Pittsburgh family includes her sister Georgienne (James) Hein, her brother Michael Dubinak, her nephew Robert Hein, as well as a large extended family.

The family extends their thankfulness and deepest appreciation to the loving staff of Sandy Creek Care Home, and the visiting nurses and other health care providers of Life Touch Care, for their kindness and generosity in caring for Genevieve across her disability and extended illness.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial tree may be planted in Genevieve’s honor.

You are welcome to sign the guestbook below.