Obituary of Emma Marie Genster

Emma Marie Garza Genster, age 52, beloved wife of Timothy Genster, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent's Medical Center on Friday, December 11, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 4, 1963 in Weslaco, TX, she was the daughter of Jose Garza and Emma Samudio Garza. Emma worked as Youth Autism Services Coordinator for many years at the Kennedy Center in Bridgeport. Taking care of those she worked with as well as her own family were her top priorities. Emma was a warm and energetic friend and establishing deep and lasting friendships was one of her greatest virtues. She was not only a great mentor to her family and friends, but took the role of being a mentor to her community very happily and humbly. She was a gracious, radiant, positive, strong, and above all, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be truly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her husband Tim of 28 years, she is survived by her two sons, John Brolley Garza Genster and Charles Austin Genster, siblings Olga Garza of Austin, TX, Suzanne Hughes (David) of Midland, TX, Odella Rickard (Andrew) of Midland, TX, and George Garza (Sylvia) of Weslaco, TX, her in-laws John Genster (Barbara) of Sheffield, IL, sister-in-laws, Tiny Garza of Odessa, TX, Mary Ann Cernovich (Rick) of Sheffield, IL, Patty Genster of Fort Worth, TX, and Carol Wilson (Kelly) of Austin, TX, 9 nieces, and 11 nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Richard Garza. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11 a.m. directly in Salem Lutheran Church, 3160 Park Ave, Bridgeport for a Memorial Service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Yale New Haven Toy Closet Program, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510