Geneva Margaret Irwin

Geneva Margaret Velasquez Irwin passed away on May 4th, 2024, at the age of 86. She was the daughter of Jose Elijio Velasquez and Phyllis Pearl Cox. She was the third child of a family of seven who grew up on a farm east of Gooding, ID. Geneva was healthy and strong, working on the farm as she grew up. As an adult she did clerical work at first and later, she was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Studio in Boise, ID. She married Albert Edward Blaise and moved to San Jose, CA approximately in1960, where she raised her family and worked for Pacific Bell for many years.

Geneva and Al had two sons, Edward Radier Blaise, and James Scyler Blaise. After they divorced, she married Don Irwin, enjoying over 43 years of life with him. Both Don and Geneva had difficult experiences with their first marriages, so they shared life for 17 years before they were sure that they were ready to take the risk of marriage again. When Don proposed, of course, Geneva accepted.

When Geneva heard her cancer diagnosis, she said to Ed, you have heard the old saying: “Life’s a bitch, and then you die!”

“But that is absolutely not true in my case! Life was hard with your father but after we got him out of our lives, I met Don Irwin. After that I had more than 43 years of the best and happiest life a woman could ever wish for or envy!”

Geneva and Don spent 43 years traveling, building a vacation cabin in Island Park, ID, having extended family gatherings, attending many family events like the Veteran’s Wheelchair Games for her brother Joe Velasquez over many years, and repeatedly visiting her brother Don Velasquez and sister-in law Grace in Puerto Vallarta, MX.

Geneva did many things to support and love others all through her life. She was great at organizing and planning big events like family reunions, cruises, trips, often paying for these adventures out of her own pocket. Her generosity was legendary. She established deep, long-lasting friendships with many people and groups. She especially enjoyed participating in her Red Hat ladies’ groups for the past few years. She was very proud and honored to become Queen of her San Jose group just before she passed.

Since Geneva had worked for the phone company for many years, she called people often, even when most people had to pay for each long-distance phone call. She took on the job of contacting all family members when any news needed to be spread. She continued this service even after the advent of the computer and Internet communications. Her skills were instrumental in keeping strong family bonds alive throughout the extended Velasquez family.

Geneva is survived by her sons, Eddie and Jim, grandchildren Skyler Elliott Blaise, Jamie Lee Blaise Schwecke, Amanda Christine Ericson, Alexandria Pearl Vazquez, great granddaughters Emma Ericson and Iris Ericson, and siblings Phyllis Taylor, Theressa Henscheid, Sister Esther Velasquez, and Deborah Velasquez Mackley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents, and brothers Don and Joe.

There will be a funeral mass held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Rupert, Idaho on June 8th at 10:00 am with a rosary at 9:30 am. She will be buried at Rupert Cemetery next to her husband, Don Irwin. Arrangements under the direction of Hansen Mortuary.