Genevieve (nee GRZESICZAK) TOURNEUR-MATUSZEWSKI, b. 13 December 1919, Rzejowice, Poland and d. 9 November 2011, New Egypt, NJ; Genevieve (nee GRZESICZAK) TOURNEUR-MATUSZEWSKI, age 91, resident of New Egypt since June 1963, went to meet her Maker, dying peacefully without pain at her residence, by her personal wishes with her only living son of five, Bernard Henry MATUSZEWSKI on 9 November 2011. Apparent recurrent cancer associated with Lymphoma provided her bridge to the next life. Born in Rzejowice, Poland of Wladyslawa SKROBONof Rzejowice and Daniel GRZESICZAK of Kodrab on Friday the 13th, December 1919, she was not expected to live and thus was immediately baptized in that town?s Roman Catholic Church. Similarly, her first brother, Czeslaw (Chester) was born in 1922, whereupon the family fled for refuge from the Bolsheviks, as her dad was in the King?s Army commissioned an officer. Mom, Genevieve?s dad was the second oldest of 7 siblings, whose custom was to educate the first and second son, who in turn, was responsible to educate the rest of the family. Where mom Genevieve was always told that Daniel was one of 7 brothers, it was recently discovered via direct genealogical research, that the 7th child indeed, was a sister named Genevieve. After Czeslaw was born, the family immigrated to FRANCE and settled in Trosly-Breuil, part of the Sub Departemente of Compiegne. In FRANCE, mom Genevieve?s parents had three more children: Pierre 1925 (Pas de Calais) Janina, 1926 and Helene (Hauptefontaine). Mom was denied a formal education by her father and was told that the eldest daughter only needs to know how to count money and the rest she would need to learn on her journey of life while being responsible for her siblings. The 4 younger siblings were afforded a FRENCH formal education while the family?s home language remained primarily POLISH. The family Naturalized in FRANCE in 1932 whereupon on the 14th of November 1936, mom Genevieve was married via contract by her father to Andre Julien TOURNEUR, age 25, of Saint Jean aux Bois. His father, Raymond TOURNEUR, had MORT POUR la FRANCE in 1914 during the First World War, after graduating from the FRENCH MILITARY ACADEMY. Andre was left an orphan to be raised by his mother, Marie Marguerite (nee POTET) TOURNEUR-MANTEL who in turn had MORT POUR la FRANCE on the 31st of March 1941 as a POW in Stalog IXA, Kassel, Germany of Encephalitis. Mom?s first son was born in Trosly-Breuil, FRANCE in 1938: Raymond Daniel Andre TOURNEUR died three months later for lack of antibiotics. A second son was born of this marriage: Maurice Michel TOURNEUR in the same town on the 25th of April 1940. He was later formally adopted by his request by my father, Chester Stanley MATUSZEWSKI who had married my mom in the same Church, located in Trosly-Breuil, FRANCE on 24 July 1945. Mom Genevieve?s specific request was to be buried with the photo of her first son, Raymond Daniel Andre TOURNEUR. She expressed the hopes she will join her long lost son in the afterlife thought now to be under the care and guidance of her mom, Wladyslawa. Happier days were on the way, however, as she met my father, Chester Stanley MATUSZEWSKI, who was in the Army-Air Corps, enlisting on 20 April 1942, he was stationed in a nearby town through the end of the second World War. Mom relates that she was scared of him, although he did nothing to provoke such fear. Mom was with her orphaned, toddler son, Maurice and with the blessings of a few close girlfriends, was encouraged to continue with her life, as she was so young to be a widow. On dad?s mind, he expressed the feelings that he was the luckiest man in the world as he attracted a lovely French girl that could cook and even spoke the POLISH which was his family?s home language in Sayreville, NJ. Consummating the mutual good feelings, uncertainty and fears, mom Genevieve has never been sorry for marrying her husband, Chester in the Parrish Church of Trosly-Breuil, FRANCE on the 24th of July 1945. Mom Genevieve did exit FRANCE in July 1946 as was the law for war brides to separate for one year before being allowed to enter the USA via Ellis Island, NY. Their first son, Richard Chester was born in Queens, NY on the 15th of March 1949, followed by me, Bernard Henry at Fort Dix, NJ on 4 March 1954 and subsequently, Daniel Renard, also of Fort Dix, NJ on the 30th of July 1955. Seeing the proud gleam in mom and dad?s eyes, one would have to be blind that a number of right and proper decisions were exactingly exercised by the both of them. Mom Genevieve would be the first to mention that she had many friends, too many to mention in this obituary, however, the first friend in this Country she met in 1946 in New York was Lucie FEYGO who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, FRANCE, married to Bill FEYGO, USAF. Lucie and mom continued dialog through the decades until this year when Lucie had left to meet her Maker and late husband. Also born13 December 1919, mom and Lucie both spoke French and had much in common with the old country. Lucie was very sadly missed this Spring. Another life-long friend is Avonelle (Boots) FOSTER who retired with her husband, James (USAF) in Orlando, Florida. Last August, Boots was in Pennsylvania for weddings and celebrated her 97th birthday. Mom Genevieve truly enjoyed the pictures and regards Boots as not only a good friend but the older sister her parents never gave her. Boots was the person instrumental in helping mom obtain her US citizenship while we resided in Sheridanville, (Ft. Dix) NJ in the 1950?s. Until her last days, mom aligned very closely to her religion and did in fact receive her last rites via the Sacrament of the Sick as administered by Father Joe of the Church of Assumption. Held in the highest regard, mom made me promise not to forget the kindnesses of thought and empathy as experienced by continuing association of Father Steve Joseph of West Virginia. The bond that mom has had with Fr. Steve was the strongest I have ever experienced and I certainly concur. Also of note, mom Genevieve requests a continuance of the neighbors that she has enjoyed through the years: Leonard (USAF) and Maria PACCIOTTI on the West side of the residence, The JOHNSON?s on the East side and the (HARTSHORN) SPRAGUE?s on the South side. Mom asks if Regine and Bruce BRINDLE would look after her son, Bernard as a new mother and father. Regine has gone leaps and bounds with research in the LDS Library and numerous translations from French to English. Mom had often remarked how very comfortable she felt with the both of you and our visit to Peru, Indiana, in the last decade. Also, without jealousy, mom would like to thank Kathy FALLON for the hospitality and maternal mentoring rendered Nurse Bernard in the care of her late son, Anthony. Mom empathizes with the loss of a child, no matter what the age, there is NO greater pain or loss one care bare. Mom often remarked on that visit to Old Bridge as remarkable the company, so was the visit to WEGMAN?s that provided a gastronomical delight. Mom Genevieve leaves behind, this writer, who will miss her more than words could ever script. I have been so fortunate to have had the best parents that the world could provide. Where mom was a very strict disciplinarian and gentile with emotions, dad was ever so even keeled and patient with his untamed Indian-like sons. In recollection, I can only remember two instances where I have ever seen my dad be very emphatic in my life and each was with due and just cause. Dad believed in understanding the root of circumstances and would steer and guide suggestively. Mom Genevieve would point out the practical and not so practical aspects of various situations and stress that the wrong path could provide for unknown outcomes. Each stressed the importance of understanding the circumstances and the possible consequences. Of much joy to mom Genevieve are Robert and Arlene MATUSZEWSKI of Sayreville, Arlene (MATUSZEWSKI) STREK and Edward STREK of Sayreville, NJ and Frank and Maryanne MATUSZEWSKI, of Florida and their extended families. Lastly, mom surrenders her title as Matriarch of the MATUSZEWSKI, TOURNEUR, GRZESICZAK and SKROBON family lines. During that time, she was historically the longest living and oldest living genealogically as researched back for the last 4 centuries. She hopes that each will take care on life?s road and journey and remember to be considerate and most importantly, accountable for one?s own actions. Genevieve was predeceased by her husband, Chester Matuszewski and sons, Daniel, Maurice and Richard. She is survived by her son, Bernard H. Matuszewski of New Egypt, two sisters, Helena Adams of Vincentown, NJ and Janina Stepien of France; a brother, Pierre Grzesiczak of France; five grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Funeral services for Genevieve will be held on Wednesday, November 16 at 2:45 PM at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street in New Egypt with Father Joseph Farrell officiating. Calling hours are 2:00 to 2:45 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery in New Egypt