Dr. Genevieve Hanley Lennon
Jerseyville | Thursday, April 9 2015
Dr. Genevieve Hanley Lennon passed away at age 91 on April 9, 2015 in St. Louis, MO., formerly of Jerseyville, IL
Genevieve Theresa Hanley was born in St. Louis, MO on March 6, 1924. The daughter of Genevieve B. Hanley and William F. Hanley, she grew up at 309 N. Liberty Street in Jerseyville, IL and attended Jerseyville public schools, graduating from Jerseyville High School. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother William B. Hanley.
An accomplished linguist, Dr. Lennon was a teacher of foreign languages for many years on the high school and university level. From this love of languages, she furthered her studies in linguistics and received her Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in Bilingual Education. Dr. Lennon taught English as a Second language (ESL) in the University City, Mo., Adult Basic Education Program during which time she established the first ESL classes for Soviet refugees in the St. Louis area. In July, 1986 she and a colleague founded St. Louis ESOL Consultants, the first consulting business in the field registered in the state of Missouri. Dr. Lennon served as past president of the Foreign Language Teachers Association of Greater St. Louis and completed two terms as president of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. On retiring from the classroom, she traveled extensively, to far-flung locations as well as to visit with family and friends in Washington DC. She was an avid genealogist, excellent raconteur and good friend.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11:30 am on Monday May 18, 2015 at the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis. On Tuesday, May 19, 2015, Genevieve’s family will celebrate a funeral Mass at Holy Ghost Church in Jerseyville, Illinois. 10:00 a.m. with Father William Hembrow Officiating, with burial at St. Francis Cemetery.
Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Theresa Conroy, son-in-law William Conroy and three grandchildren, Anne , Margaret, and James Conroy.
Memorials may be given to the Aquinas Institute (23 South Spring Ave St. Louis, MO 63107; ai.edu) or to Holy Ghost Church (306 N. Washington St., Jerseyville, IL 62052)
Alexander & Gubser Funeral Home in charge of Arrangements
Alexander Funeral Home
