Genitha Clark

Genitha Lucille Farrell Clark, 89, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022. She was born on the family farm in Bigelow, Kansas on July 29, 1932, the daughter of Stephen and Mary Farrell. Bigelow no longer exists due to the construction of Tuttlecreek Reservoir. Genitha graduated from Blaine Rural High School in 1950 in a class of four, and then received her diploma from St. Joseph School of Nursing from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1953. Later she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Washburn University, Master’s Degree in Education from Kansas State University, Master’s Degree in Mental Health from University of Kansas, and PhD. in Nursing Education from Kansas State University. Genitha worked in Mental Health at Topeka State Hospital. She had the opportunity to meet Margaret Mead and Anna Freud when they lectured at Menninger’s as well as Dr. Kubler-Ross. She worked at Menninger’s as a psychiatric nurse and taught for Newman Hospital School of Nursing of Emporia in Topeka. She was the Director of Nursing at the Kansas Neurological Institute (K.N.I.). Genitha received a letter from the Saudi Arabian Embassy offering her a job at Sahara Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. She spent a year at the only Psych hospital in Saudi (March 1983 to February 1984). She was an Associate Professor for St. Mary of the Plains College and Baker University School of Nursing at Stormont-Vail. Genitha was a supporter of the Civic Symphony and Community Concert, as well as a Hospice volunteer. She was a member of the Red Hat Society. Genitha loved knitting, crocheting, quilting, reading, sewing, music, woodcarving, needlework, and painting. She was a Master Gardner and enjoyed traveling. Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Crete, Rhodes, and Thailand are a few of the countries she visited. On August 1, 1953, Genitha married Paul Lambert Clark at St. Columbkill Church in Blaine. They moved to Wichita, Kansas where Paul was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base and lived there until 1956 when Paul was transferred to Ashiya Air Force Base in Japan. They returned to Topeka in 1959. Genitha is survived by her children, Pam (Ken) Metzger of Topeka and Sandy (Paul) Cortez II of Whitman, Massachusetts; her grandchildren, Valerie (Aaron) Phipps of Kansas City, Missouri, Kyle Metzger and Camrond Jacobs of Topeka, and Ciara Cortez of Whitman, Massachusetts; great-grandchildren, Brody, Caitlin, Blake, and Bowen Phipps of Kansas City, Missouri. She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Lambert Clark and daughter Cindy, both of her parents, siblings, Maxine Winkler, Ilene Farrell, Charles (Bud) Farrell, and two siblings who passed away in childhood. The Rosary will be prayed at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2022, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614, with visitation to follow until 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2022, at Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church, 1114 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8350, Topeka KS 66608 or Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church, 911 SW Clay Street, Topeka KS 66606. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Genitha Clark

July 29, 1932 - March 22, 2022