Obituary of Geneva W. Hagans

MITCHELLVILLE, MD Geneva was born in Norfolk, Va. To Arthur James Wells and Susie Weeden Wells. She attended Hampton Institute where she studied music and theatre. She sang a lead role in the operetta H.M.S. Pinafore which led to the meeting of a Hampton Institute student of Engineering, Robert R. Hagans, who later became her husband for more than 60 years. Family and friends often heard him humming tunes from the opera. The two started their lives together in Erie Pa. and in 1959 moved to Village Creek, a small waterfront community in Norwalk, Connecticut. Geneva spent her career teaching music and giving piano lessons. Later, she received a certificate in Music Therapy and conducted classes at the Norwalk Hospital. This was in addition to an after school reading program she developed for elementary school students. While raising two sons, Robert Jr. and Paul (deceased), Geneva and Bob gave time supporting a number of organizations including: Community Baptist Church, The Jackie Robinson Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and the Christian Community Action Committee of Norwalk. She was a member of the Advisory Board for the Norwalk Symphony and a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Geneva and Bob wrote a book, African Americans: A Proud Heritage and donated the book and all proceeds to the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She loved tennis, ping pong, drawing and relaxing on the beach. Geneva is predeceased by her husband, Bob and her son Paul. She will be remembered lovingly by her son, Rob (Andrea); daughter-in-law, Nancy, her two grandsons; Robert 111 (Janyse) and Alexander, her two granddaughters; Geneva and Sydney, and her great granddaughter Hannah Rose Hagans. She will be missed by many other nieces, nephews, treasured friends and students. Visitation will be held on Monday October 4, 2021 from 10:00am - 11:00am followed by a service of celebration at 11:00 am at Community Baptist Church, 105 East Avenue, Norwalk CT. 06851. Interment will follow at Willow brook Cemetery, Westport CT. The Graves-Medley Funeral Home of Stamford is directing the arrangements.