Geneva Stanley Link

Geneva Elizabeth Stanley was born on December 11, 1926, to Edgar Monroe Stanley and Clara Elisabeth Bowers Stanley on the old Stanley homestead in Early Branch, South Carolina. Growing up in the country during the Great Depression, Geneva learned to help others. Her parents were very active in the church and in the community. Geneva learned from example that she wanted to help people. Geneva has a beloved brother, Michael, born 1938. Geneva was so excited that she invited several of her girlfriends to see her new baby brother. Michael was the center of attention from then on. Geneva graduated from Fairfax Public School (1943), then went to Winthrop University (Rock Hill, South Carolina), and continued her education in nursing at Johns Hopkins Medical School (Baltimore, Maryland). Geneva graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1949 as a Registered Nurse. Geneva wanted to continue a life of service and attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to learn to serve as a nursing missionary. Geneva often played piano for the youth group at the seminary. While at seminary, Geneva became friends with a young lady, Dottie Rose Link, who in turn introduced Geneva to her brother, Marlowe Link. Geneva and Marlowe were married December 22, 1952, in Fairfax, South Carolina. They honeymooned in the Florida Keys. They quickly started a family. Sharon Rose (1953) and Deborah Ruth (1955). Marlowe had joined the Navy and was deployed as a Naval chaplain, assigned to the U. S. Marines in Okinawa, Japan. Geneva stayed at home raising their two toddlers. Marlowe and Geneva moved from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to San Diego, California, and then to Houston, Texas where Marlowe was studying Chaplaincy and Geneva worked at a local hospital. After Marlowe complete his Chaplaincy training, he and Geneva moved to Napa, California. Marlow started at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Geneva started as a nurse for the Queen of the Valley Hospital. While in Napa, their son, Samuel (1962) was born. Geneva continued her education and, after graduating from Chico State with a degree in education, she taught nursing at the community college. Geneva taught numerous classes while at NVCC and always emphasized listening to the patients and learning how to relate to them in order to best help them. Geneva was the organist at the chapel at the Veterans Home and enjoyed working along side of her husband on Sundays. Geneva loved playing hymns and playing Christmas music. After retiring from teaching, Geneva worked for the Martinez VA Hospital in their drug rehabilitation program. When Marlowe retired from the Veterans Home, he applied to be a chaplain for the cruise lines. He and Geneva traveled to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, most of Europe, and several key ports in South America. Marlowe then was given the opportunity to teach chaplaincy in St. Petersburg, Russia. He and Geneva both went to work with the Russian students on how to talk to, connect, and witness to the public. Marlowe passed away in January 2017. Geneva did not stop her active life. She kept busy with embroidery and quilting. Geneva also joined several Bible studies. She attended in person for several years until she was unable to drive. Then, during Covid, she attended Bible studies via Zoom. Geneva loved learning more about the Gospels and socializing with the other ladies. One of Geneva’s hopes was that she would be able to see her grandchildren graduate from school. She was able to see her granddaughter (Nicole) graduate from both High School (2019) and college (2023) and see her grandson (Kyle) from high school (2023). Geneva passed away at home on June 30, 2025. She is survived by her brother, Michael Stanley and his wife Nelda; children: Sharon Rose, Deborah Ruth Klipfel and her husband Mark, Samuel, his wife Nancy, and their two children Nicole and Kyle. Geneva is also survived by her beloved cat Sweetie.

Tributes

Geneva Stanley Link

December 11, 1926 - June 30, 2025