Genevieve Reilly Nash

is honored with a Large Paver from Genevieve Nash Cody and Katherine Nash Redding.

1891-1978

Genevieve Reilly Nash was born June 14, 1891, in Caldwell, Kansas, to George W. and Regina Reilly. A year later she came with her parents and six siblings to Wichita where her father established a mercantile business, located on what is now the first block of East Douglas. She attended local schools and graduated from Wichita High School.

In 1909, she matriculated in Fairmount College, which she attended for several years and where she was a member of Sorosis Sorority. Subsequently, she taught for several years in a small school near Andale, Kansas.

She then went with her parents and younger sister to the West Coast and enrolled in the University of Washington at Seattle where she became a member of Delta Gamma National Sorority. Upon completing her studies there, she returned to Wichita and resumed teaching elementary classes in the Wichita Public Schools until her marriage in 1921 to James B. Nash, a young attorney.

Each of their three daughters, Katherine, Genevieve, and Mary Louise, attended the University of Wichita, two of whom are graduates.

Genevieve Reilly Nash was active in art and literary circles, and in church and community service groups during her succeeding years in Wichita. She served on the Wichita Girl Scout Council. She was a member of the Wichita Lawyers' Wives Association and of the Wichita Art Association. She was an acknowledged amateur watercolorist, with her works shown publicly.

She inspired in her family and others a sincere love and appreciation of education, fine arts, literature, drama, music, and dance. She was active in her home, family, and various interests until the last six months of her life. She died in her home on February 19, 1978, and was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.

April 22, 1999