Geneva Majella Columbus

Jan 28, 1950 -

Jun 7, 2024

Gena Columbus passed away on June 7, 2024, from the cancer she had been battling for over two years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe Columbus.

Geneva "Gena" Majella Columbus was born in Moscow, Idaho, in 1950, to Charles and Joanne Marguerite Glass Sawyer. Her father was a career Air Force officer and, consequently, the family lived in many states until they eventually settled in Seattle, Wash. Despite their humble means, her parents instilled an appreciation of education and managed to send Gena and her three siblings to private schools. Gena attended Holy Names Academy in Seattle, and later became Miss Teenage Seattle in the 1967 pageant.

After working in her uncle's gift shop in Ketchikan, Alaska, Gena fell in love with the Far North and a swashbuckling fur trader by the name of Charles McAlpine. They married in 1973 and had one son, Cullen McAlpine. Although they later divorced, they both treasured their son and raised him amicably for many years.

She eventually returned to school at the University of Phoenix, where she attained her Masters of Library Science which she put to work in the Anchorage School District inculcating a love of reading in children. She always believed in the power of books and how they could brighten a child's imagination and future.

In 2000, Gena married Joe Columbus, who was the true love of her life and the man who filled her world with joy and peace. Their many friends would often comment on the beauty of their union and how it brought goodness to those around them. Together they traveled widely but always returned home. Gena was known to proclaim that "I would rather die an early death here in Alaska than live a long life stateside!" They were also fond of supporting local charities, most notably their championing of classical Catholic education and values in Holy Rosary Academy.

Gena was a staunch and loyal friend to those around her and was known for her kindness and gentleness. Like her husband, she lived according to her moral code that was based in the Catholic faith and the traditional American values upon which this country was built: integrity, honesty and loyalty. She is survived by her son, Cullen; three siblings, Chuck, Mary and Pat; nephews, Greg and Chris; and niece, Rachel.

A funeral mass will be said for Gena on Aug. 3, 2024, at Holy Family Church.