





Obituary of Genevieve Sharon Anne Marie Walsh Frere
Genevieve Sharon Anne Marie Walsh Frere, born on September 19, 1949, in South Porcupine, Ontario, was called home to heaven on June 21, 2025, in Ottawa, after a long journey through illness.
From a young age, Genny had a deep affection for animals, just not the scaly ones! Birds and furry creatures were her trusted companions, and no matter where she lived, she left behind a trail of well-fed, feathered friends. Even now, her backyard menagerie seems to pause, still expecting her to appear with a snack or a greeting. She should be met at the gates of heaven by a huge clowder of cats waiting for a pet or snuggle.
As a child growing up in Northern Ontario, she was captivated by faraway places, collecting postcards of the world she one day dreamed of seeing. True to form, she bravely made those dreams real, moving to Switzerland as a young adult, where she worked as an executive secretary, and a teacher, learned German, and fell in love with fine food. Her travels throughout Europe brought her not only incredible experiences but also lifelong friendships. It was also there that she met Marsh, the love of her life. After some international courtship, she adventurously followed him to the Smoky Mountains, where they settled into a home with a view and then eventually to a small farm full of animals, gardens, and a lot of love. After some time in the U.S.A. Genny moved her family back to Ontario. Living in various communities, including Timmins, Hanmer and eventually settling in Ottawa. It was there in Ottawa where Genny grew spiritually, discipling many and praying for everyone. She grew her friendship circle with wonderful connections and she grew great gardens filled to the brim with flowers all season long.
Motherhood was her greatest joy, and raising her daughter Jessica was the role she treasured most. She cared for Jessica’s friends, as if they were her own children. Genny had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel cared for, often through a warm meal and some lovingly sourced ingredients. Her cheesecake became legendary, her cookbooks bookmarked and scribbled in, though her best recipes lived only in her head, to the frustration of all who tried to copy them. She was a firm believer that food could heal, and in her 60s she returned to school to become a certified nutritionist, not for profit, but so she could help friends and family feel their best. She enjoyed camping, and being outside. Her camper always had a fully stocked kitchen. Genny will be remembered because her prayers were heartfelt, and her love, like her meals, was given freely and abundantly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dominic and Effie Walsh and her sister, Teresa Walsh. She leaves behind her husband, John Marsh Frere III, and her daughter Jessica (Nathan) Karstulovich. It is heartbreaking that she won’t have more time with her granddaughter, Lillian Karstulovich, whom she desired to have so much. She leaves behind her sister, Dawn (Julian) Chouinard and her half-sister Pierrette (Gil) Girard. She will be greatly missed by her beloved nephew Torey (Nathalie) Walsh and nieces Danielle (Steve Lamothe) Chouinard and Kelly (Jonathan Plourde) Chouinard, as well as by their children, her cousins, extended family and friends she held dear.
Please join us at any of the following events to celebrate Genny’s life. A Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the Funeral at 11:00 am on Thursday July 3, 2025 at Woodvale Pentecostal Church, 205 Greenbank Road, Ottawa. A reception will follow. Genny will then return to the North. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 10:00 am at Whitney Cemetery, Cemetery Road off Haileybury Crescent, South Porcupine, Ontario. A Celebration of Life will follow at The Porcupine Legion, 46 Legion Drive, South Porcupine.
Visitation
Funeral Service
Graveside Service
Celebration of Life


Cole Funeral Services:
2500 Baseline Road,
Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3H9
Telephone: (613) 831-7122
info@colefuneralservices.com