Genevieve Doak was born February 4, 1926 to Della Barber Shafto and Wilbur F. Shafto on the family farm in Wheat Ridge, CO. She died April 27, 2019 at the Colorado State Veteran’s Home in Rifle, CO at the age of 93. Gen attended schools in Wheat Ridge, graduating from Wheat Ridge High School in 1943. She graduated from Colorado State university in 1947.
While attending college Gen met Edward M. Doak. they married in Craig, CO on September 14, 1947.
Gen and Ed moved to rifle, CO in 1950 where they began to raise their family of 5 children. She was a substitute teacher in the public schools there for several years. Gen was very active in the lives of her children as a boy scout and girl scout leader as well as a 4-H Leader.
The family moved to Glenwood Springs in 1970 where Gen found her true calling working at the Glenwood Branch of the Garfield County Library until her retirement in 1994. Like her father, Gen was an avid reader and supporter of education. She was very proud of her summer reading programs at the library.
Gen loved the community of Glenwood, where she was a member of the local chapter of PEO, The Frontier Historical Society, and The Friends of the Library. She also served on the admissions board for Mountain Valley Developmental Services and taught early childhood literature at CMC for elementary teachers. Many children who grew up in glenwood simply knew Gen as “the story hour lady”.
Gen was chosen by the Chamber of Commerce as the Glenwood Springs Citizen of the Year in 1992 for her civic involvement in the community.
Gen was preceded in death by husband Ed and daughter Shary. She is survived by son Max Doak of Las Cruces NM and daughters Dr. Susan Benson of Windsor, CO, Libby Weir of Glenwood/Cedaredge, CO and Mary Lou Doak of Grand Junction, CO. She is also survived by 4 granddaughters and 7 great-grandchildren.
If you wish to honor Gen’s memory please read a book to a child.
Memorial service will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be sent c/o Libby Weir, 3030 Grand Ave. #6, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.