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Helen Fay Genes, age 86 of Wilmington, NC, sadly passed away at Trinity Grove of Wilmington on September the 21st of 2022.

Fay was born on June 28, 1936 in Fayetteville, NC to the late Odwin F. and Margaret Fisher Cain. Her career as a Registered Nurse at James Walker and NHRMC for 39 years, was a source of joy for her as she cared for babies and their moms. Retiring in 1996 gave her more freedom to travel and especially to enjoy and spend time with her grandchildren and later, her great grandchildren. She attended Cape Fear Presbyterian Church where she served in many roles and was a member of the choir.

Fay is survived by her loving husband of almost 57 years, Sonny Genes, her adoring children, Christi Dee (Rich), Dennis Genes (Meredith), and Tina Ferdinando (Kenny), beloved grandchildren, Courtney (Noah), Brandon (Aran), Caitlin, Ryleigh, Peyton and Griffin and cherished great grandchildren, Kendall, Maddox, Kirklyn, Emma and Rowan as well as many other extended family members and friends who loved and will miss her. In addition to her parents, Fay is predeceased by both her sisters, Sue Robinson and Connie Horne.

The family would like to thank the staff of Trinity Grove for their loving care of her for the past 2 months.

There will be a time of Visitation for Fay on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation – Wilmington Chapel, immediately followed by a Memorial Service starting at 2:00pm, officiated by May Craven of Black River Presbyterian Church.

To view the memorial service live stream CLICK HERE.

Please leave memories and condolences for Fay’s family by signing the Tribute Wall below.
Services in care of Wilmington Funeral & Cremation – Wilmington Chapel – 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403

Memorial Service

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
2:00 PM

Wilmington Funeral Chapel - Directions
1535 South 41st Street
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-791-9099

Visiting Hours

Visitation

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Tribute Wall

Please feel free to sign the guestbook or share a memory

March 19, 2023

Robert and Billie Shelton lit a candle:
September 28, 2022

Becky Ingle says:

World War 11 brought Fay and me together when we were 8 years old and we remained life-long friends. When both of our fathers went off to fight in the war, both of our mothers moved "home" to live with their mothers in a very small town, named Hope Mills, N.C. That's where Fay and I met & often walked to school together, played together, and got into mischief together. After the war and our fathers came back from the war, our families moved away from Hope Mills. But Fay and I kept in touch with each other, visited each other (Fay in Wilmington, and our family in Greensboro, NC. It seemed very natural that we became suite mates at Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC. (We have a lot of memories from that experience--too many to list here and some I will not tell.) In 1958 Fay was a bridesmaid in my wedding and a few years later when my husband was teaching at Wilmington College, and we were living at Wrightsville Beach, Fay and I were both pregnant and we spent quite a few days on the beach together. We never lost touch with each but as our days were busy with children & work there just was not enough time and energy to touch base with each other as often, but we always knew we would get a phone call, a birthday and Christmas card with a letter, which we always signed our name and BFTTE ( Best Friend To The End) and we were. My friend will definitely been missed!
September 28, 2022

Becky Ingle says:

World War 11 brought Fay and me together when we were 8 years old and we remained life-long friends. When both of our fathers went off to fight in the war, both of our mothers moved "home" to live with their mothers in a very small town, named Hope Mills, N.C. That's where Fay and I met and often walked to school together, played together, and got into mischief together. After the war and our fathers came back from the war, our families moved away from Hope Mills. But Fay and I kept in touch with each other, visited each other (Fay in Wilmington, and our family in Greensboro, NC. It seemed very natural that we became suite mates at Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte, NC. (We have a lot of memories from that experience--too many to list here and some I will not tell.) In 1958 Fay was a bridesmaid in my wedding and a few years later when my husband was teaching at Wilmington College, and we were living at Wrightsville Beach, Fay and I were both pregnant and we spent quite a few days on the beach together. We never lost touch with each but as our days were busy with children & work there just was not enough time and energy to touch base with each other as often, but we always knew we would get a phone call, a birthday and Christmas card with a letter, which we always signed with our name and BFTTE ( Best Friend To The End) and we were. My friend will definitely been missed!
September 26, 2022

Pastor May Craven says:

What a lovely and Godly lady!! Fay, Sonny, and their beautiful children have worshiped with my family and me at Cape Fear Presbyterian Church for many years; so I know them well. When my husband died at an early age, both Fay and Sonny stood by my side, and I'll never forget their kindness and concern. Fay's welcome smile and sweet disposition brightened everyone's day, and she, along with her entire family, were always active in our church. I can see Sonny frying fish at the church, and Faye busy in the kitchen to make certain that everyone had plenty to eat and was welcomed with open arms. This fine lady will be sorely missed by everyone who had the great honor of knowing and loving her. As I send God's richest blessings for comfort to her family and many friends, there is no doubt that Fay is holding and loving as many babies as she can while singing a pretty lullaby and being "Miss Gentle Nurse." Definitely a good life well-lived by a truly Godly woman!
September 26, 2022

Joy Knox says:

I met Fay when I moved into my dads house, after he passed away in 2017. She came over and sat with me during my grief and I’ll always be grateful for the compassion and kindness she showed me during that time. A sweet and kind lady! My condolences to the family during this time.

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