Cooperstown, NY - COOPERSTOWN - Genevieve L. Smerski, 93, died Thursday July 17, 2025.

She was born Sept. 6, 1931, in Little Falls, the daughter of Joseph and Katherine (nee- Bajza) Smerski. In 1934 the Smerskis purchased the "Pioneer Grill" on Pioneer Street (now Cooley's) and made Cooperstown their home.

From a young age Gen worked for her parents at the "Grill" where she developed a life-long love of cooking. She graduated from Cooperstown High School in the Class of 1948. As a young adult she was hired as an administrative assistant in the radiology department at Bassett Hospital and remained a faithful employee for more than 43 years, retiring in 1996. She served her community in many ways. She was an EMT with the Cooperstown Emergency Squad for decades and at different times served as the squad's secretary and treasurer, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for many years, was proud to be a member of "Cooperstown Native Daughters" and was an active member of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church.

On a personal note, "Auntie Gen" was a beloved "second mother" to her many nieces and nephews and their children. She enjoyed outdoor activities, was a golfer, loved to fish, was a supporter of the National Audubon Society and could spot and identify animals and birds of every kind (she spent a small fortune on bird seed every month), loved her dogs and suffered through embarrassing times with her Myna bird "Petee" who had mastered and loved to issue a "wolf whistle" greeting to everyone.

Gen was predeceased by her sister, June Christman, her brother-in-law, Jim Christman, her nephew, Patrick Christman, and her niece, Kathy (Christman) Brizzell. She is survived by her nieces Angela (Christman) Montoya and Joann Christman, her nephew, Tim Christman, her self-proclaimed "adopted grandson" Stephen Clancy and her dear friend, Beverly Hargrove as well as nine grand nieces and nephews.

Visitation hours at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home in Cooperstown will be held Tuesday July 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered Wednesday July 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown with The Very Rev. Micheal Cambi, Pastor officiating. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Index will follow the service and a reception in the St. Mary's Catechetical Center will follow the burial.

For those who so desire, the family suggests donations in Gen's memory be made to the National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014.