Genevieve "Genny" E. Huss

HUSS, GENEVIEVE E. “Genny” (nee Latour) of Ramsey formerly of Wyckoff, retired Director of Advertising at Gourmet Magazine died peacefully on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at the age of 75. She had been hospitalized for complications related to the COVID-19. She is survived by her ex-husband, Hazem; their daughter, Victoria of Midland Park, Victoria’s husband Oniel Mendez, and their two children, Liam (5) and Delilah (3). Genny was born and grew up in Maple Lake MN, with a population of 972. During her school years she was President of the Student Council and founded the first ever Girl Scout Troop in the area which is still thriving today. While in High School Genny left Maple Lake to continue schooling at St. Benedict’s Convent School in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Genny attended the University of Minnesota before moving to New York City where she met and married Hazem Huss. She held various jobs in NYC before being hired by Mr. Gourmet himself of Gourmet Magazine a Conde Nast Publication. Genny traveled the globe for the magazine and loved every minute of being so worldly. In addition to her advertising career Genny started her own candy making business named “Victoria’s Chocolates.” She had originally been in search of “Charlotte’s Web” themed cake decorations for her daughter Victoria’s birthday party and because she did not have luck in finding any decided to learn how to make them herself. Genny became very successful at molding chocolate into many elaborate shapes and then also began her extensive collection of chocolate molds. Genny and Hazem moved to Wyckoff, NJ in the 1990’s. Genny became an Elected Member of the Altrusa Club of Bergen County an organization of professional women who dedicate themselves to social concerns not only in our country but worldwide. While living in Wyckoff, Genny opened a tab with the ice cream truck to give her dog Elmo half an ice cream sandwich every time the truck drove by the house. She had a great love for both animals and nature so on one vacation in Upstate NY Genny found a litter of all black kittens. Sneaking them one by one underneath her coat with their tails sticking out, she walked through the hotel lobby to play with each one in her room. She documented their personalities by cutting different claws in order to find the best suited kitten. Genny had a way of working wonders in everything she touched. Genny moved to Ramsey, NJ and remained at Gourmet Magazine as Director of Advertising for her 35 year career. After her retirement from Gourmet Genny became Director of Senior Programs and was a beloved and dedicated member of the staff at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Ramsey. Her gentle, prayerful concern for senior citizens was a source of comfort and companionship for many. She provided opportunities for social events as well as numerous spiritual and support programs. Her optimistic outlook on life coupled with her strong Christian Faith was an important element of the life of the parish. She was a wonderful person and a very, very important part of the St. Paul community and the Parish Staff. They all loved her – she was faithful, optimistic and affirming. Genny’s green thumb led her to become a “Master Gardener” as she was excellent at growing everything. She was also heavily involved with crafting, from floral wreaths with special bows, to mosaic tiles, and painting just about anything. She was very close to emptying the Craft Show one year at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan and has tried to use up all the supplies ever since. Genny is remembered for being so cheerful and pleasant and kind to everyone no matter what the circumstances. She found humor in such great ways to cope with life. And it was always a pleasure to capture her good sense of humor. Genny was always the life at any party and loved hosting big parties for socializing and entertaining. Genny always loved to cook and bake and try new recipes and her best taste testers became her grandchildren for whom she baked cookies for on every visit to her house. Even now the grandkids continue to leave a plate out on her kitchen counter. Her grandchildren miss their “magical” grandmother but say “they will see her again one day.” Genny worked very hard throughout her life and made a difference in the lives of many with the most beautiful smile, warmth, energy, and love for life. She was a spirit of love and believed the best medicine was to laugh every day. Genny and her daughter Victoria had such a solid love for each other and would have loved no other way. It is an honor to have known her loving heart, along with her contagious laughter and love. We are thankful for all of the love, friendship, joy and happiness that she gave to us. Most of all, Genny made a beautiful life for herself and her family and will be remembered for her warmth, energy, infinite wisdom and love for life. Genny was known for finding joy in every little thing and spread it to all those around her. She gave much more to this world than she ever took before entering her eternal life. Genny is a great example of God’s creations and perseverance, and her earthly presence was heavenly. Genny took every opportunity to live life to the fullest and take advantage of every moment, such as playing “king of the mountain” on a snow pile and even playing “splash of war” in the height of a hurricane. With each ailment, she found that much more wonder in life and never ever complained. One of Genny’s favorite quotes was, “I would rather have a body full of scars and a head full of memories than a life of regrets and perfect skin.” Although mom could barely walk forward without difficulty, she wanted to join her cousin Barb in a walking backwards race, and that was just the kind of person mom was. So, here’s to big parties that need to be cleaned up for days, decorating 8 dozen eggs for Easter and hiding them around the yard dressed in an Easter Bunny costume and 24 pound turkeys that couldn’t even be lifted out of the oven on Thanksgiving. Mom still completes my soul but leaves a void in my heart. “Nana’s” spirit will be carried on by her grandchildren who will always hold her near and dear in their hearts, thoughts, and prayers. Her extraordinary beauty will be remembered long after she is gone, and she has left strong footprints for generations to come. No matter how bad her condition on every trip to the hospital mom always turned and asked for her keys so that she could come home. I’m so sorry mom that you didn’t get to use them after your last hospitalization, but I will always keep them with me no matter where I go so that you can always come home. I know that in mom’s last breath she breathed in love and out fear the way she had always taught me to do. Genny did not wait long before showing herself to us as the very day after her passing two Mourning Doves moved into our flower hanging basket directly outside our front door and laid two eggs one for Liam and one for Delilah who watched them grow to fly away free to the skies teaching us that she is in every bird, flower and cloud. Genny lives on in everything beautiful. She taught us to handle every situation with much comfort, love and kindness the way she did and not to sweat the small stuff. We were lucky to have such love from her and mom’s last breath filled me inside with an overwhelming sense to always celebrate the life she lived. Even without strength she gave the final fight of her life to stay with her family. May you rest in peace now, mom, and frolic in a field of irises as there are no hospitals in heaven. Let every tear shed for mom be a seed planted and any thought of her a blossom. May every wonderful word and emotion be a tribute to Genny’s life. Words cannot do justice but hope in some way it commemorates her spirit. Mom left me an angel and second mom here on earth named Denise Collins who is an exceptional being and a highly talented and creative artist and spiritual friend who has written some special recollections and shared memories in honor of Genny. Accompanying her booklet will be beautiful and original illustrations along with an exquisite inking on the cover that will be distributed at mom’s Memorial Mass. Truly a Saint; may Genny Latour Huss rest in peace.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 23 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 200 Wyckoff Avenue, Ramsey.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Genny’s name to her lifelong friend Denise S. Collins, Professional Artist who volunteers her time and talent to teach art to nursing home residents. Denis S. Collins, 896 Crabtree Church Road, Clyde, NC 28721