Genevieve Mary Sloboda
August 12, 1944 – March 6, 2026
On Friday March 6, 2026, Genevieve Mary Sloboda, died peacefully in her 82nd year at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, following a short illness. Jenny was the youngest in the family of Louis (Ludwig) Sloboda and Anna Sloboda (nee Nejeschleba) and was the last surviving member of her generation. She is survived by the children and grandchildren of her brothers and sisters: Joseph (m. Alma/Amy Gallichan), Frank (m. Melba Garnham), Mary (m. Bill Strong) and Anne (m. Joseph Troesch).
Jenny was born in St. Catharines on Aug. 12, 1944. She graduated from Western University, obtained her teaching certificate and went on to teach high school French and Latin at Chatham-Kent Secondary School (formerly Tecumseh Secondary School) in Chatham. Her knowledge of multiple languages, including Slovak, enabled her to travel extensively in Europe in the 60s and 70s, both as a tourist and a supervisor of student trips. Later, Jenny gave up full-time teaching and moved back to Straffordville to care for her parents.
Jenny remained in Straffordville, living independently, gardening avidly and reading voraciously. Her neighbours knew her as a friendly, but very private person. Her family knew her as someone who still had the “school teacher look” that told you without words that you had just said or done something that was questionable at best. Jenny did not ask for a lot from the world for herself, and did not want to be burdened by possessions or expectations. She did, however, expect you to think before speaking, especially when you were speaking to her.
A Liturgical Service will be held at Ostrander’s Funeral Home in Tillsonburg on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation preceding at 10:00 a.m. Father Seejo John officiating. Interment will take place at Tillsonburg Cemetery, 193 Simcoe St., #191, Tillsonburg. ON. N4G 1E0. Following the interment, a reception will be held at Jenny’s home in Straffordville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.