Genevieve Wayne

Genevieve Wayne of Lakeside, Arizona peacefully passed away on July 9, 2022 in Lakeside with her daughter and son by her side. She was 98. Genevieve was born on January 27, 1924 in Strickler, Arkansas to her parents, the late S. Virgil and Myrtie Ethel (Ferguson) Nunn.

Genevieve moved to Lawton, Oklahoma where she attended the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasaw, Oklahoma and obtained her Bachelor’s of Music Education. While living in Lawton she met T. Gordon Wayne at the Lawton Presbyterian Church and asked him if he would  like to go to a University of Colorado football game. That first date sparked a lifelong relationship and they were married March 7, 1953. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage before his death in 2015.

Genevieve went on to further her education at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, graduating with her Master’s of Music Education. She taught vocal music education for years at the Whittier Elementary and Lawton Junior High School in Lawton. In 1967 the family moved to Utica, Michigan where she taught music for the Utica Community School system.

After retiring from teaching in 1979, they moved from Utica to Sequim, Washington to enjoy what she would refer to as “paradise on earth.” She loved that community, living there 36 years before moving to Lakeside, Arizona to be closer to family.

She was a member of the P.E.O (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Chapter EP for 41 years in Sequim, Washington and the Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim where she served as the Music Director, which she had previously done for the Utica United Methodist Church in Utica, Michigan.

Genevieve had many talents but was especially passionate about music. She had a beautiful alto voice and performed many church service solos. She shared her love for music with her family, church and students. She was an avid Seattle Mariners baseball fan and would enjoy keeping her own score sheet during games, which included how many times the train whistle blew as it went by the stadium.

Her strong faith sustained her during her final years. She had peace and was ready to join our Heavenly Father. We like to think that as she celebrated her first Sabbath in Heaven, she stepped up to the podium to direct a choir full of angels.

Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Carol Axford of Show Low, Arizona; son, Thomas (Paulette) Wayne of St. Clair, Michigan; grandchildren, Mica (Michelle Axford) Diaz of Holbrook, Arizona, Alex Wayne of St. Clair, Adam (Katie) Wayne of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and Elizabeth Wayne of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, T. Gordon Wayne; brother, Hugh Tom Nunn and her parents. Virgil and Myrtie Nunn.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date in Sequim, Washington.

Her family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Solterra Senior Living Center as well as Accord Hospice. Their loving care certainly helped her life’s final chapter.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in her name to: Trinity United Methodist Church P.O. Box 3697 Sequim, WA 98382; Chapter EP, PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Attn: Shirley Anderson P.O. Box 904 Carlsborg, WA 98324 or to Accord Hospice via the White Mountain Hospice Foundation P.O. Box 1975 Lakeside, Arizona 85929.