COALBURN - Genevieve Bessie (Grant) Smith, 94, Coalburn, passed away peacefully, Thursday, January 3, 2019 in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family. Born in Oyster Pond, Guysborough County, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Bessie (Sceles) Grant. Genevieve was the oldest of eight children, she was a second mother to them and their defender. She especially loved kids and sticking up for the underdog. A woman with strong convictions and beliefs, she excelled at telling the truth; a straight shooter who let us all know where we stood. Never afraid of hard work and stepping outside the norm, Genevieve was the first female school bus driver hired in Pictou East and continued to drive and work as a custodian at the East Pictou Rural High School until her retirement. In early years, she was very active in her community, serving as president of Thorburn Consolidated Home and School Association, as well as other groups and associations. Genevieve was a member of Union Presbyterian Church, Thorburn where she was a member of the AMS and served as an Explorer leader. She was a Past Noble Grand and 70-year jewel holder of Dorcas Rebekah Lodge No. 42, Thorburn. For fifty years, Genevieve treasured spending time with her large extended family at the MacPherson's Lake cottage in Port Shoreham. Known for her soft heart, generous spirit and willingness to do for others, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be dearly missed by all those she loved and those who loved her. Surviving are her sons, Lloyd (Lori) and their children, Stephanie and Megan, Thorburn; Daryn (Sybil), New Glasgow and their children, Thomas, New Glasgow and Sarah, London, England; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Trudy Standing, Fredericton, N.B.; Joyce Whittle, Newmarket, Ont.; brothers, Robert (Betty) Grant, Victoria, B.C.; Donald (Jan) Grant, St. Thomas, Ont.; sister-in-law, June Smith, Coalburn; Margaret Smith, Vancouver, B.C.; Shirley Grant, Port Hawkesbury; many nieces and nephews; friend and neighbour, Ken Henderson, Coalburn. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Stanley "Plum"; infant daughter, Lisa Anne; sisters, Clementine England and Ann Jensen; brother, Lloyd Grant. In honour of Genevieve's wishes, a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 8th in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow with Rev. Wanda Grant officiating. Reception to follow, with interment in Thorburn Cemetery. Donations may be made in Genevieve's memory to Pictou County Victorian Order of Nurses. (Please click to donate.) To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Genevieve Bessie Smith, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.