Genevra “Gen” Reed Counihan passed away peacefully at Newbury Court on October 28, 2024, at age 98.
Gen was born December 15, 1925, in Wichita, Kansas, to Solomon Luther and Opal (Skaer) Reed. She grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where her father taught psychology at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes). She graduated from OSU at 18, did a year of post-graduate work in international studies, and then attended Yale Law School, graduating in 1947.
Following law school, Gen worked in New York City as an account executive in an advertising firm. Watch the movies “RBG” or “On the Basis of Sex” to better understand her legal opportunities, especially considering that she graduated 12 years before her favorite Supreme Court justice.
In New York, Gen met a fellow lawyer, Paul Counihan. They married in 1949 and moved to his hometown of Cambridge. Two years later they moved to Concord, where she spent the next 73 years of her life. She continued to get together regularly with friends from Conantum up until her death. An accomplished musician, Gen played the violin in the Concord Orchestra, the piccolo in the Conantum parade, as well as the piano at home.
Gen was active in town politics, serving on the Democratic Town Committee and the Planning Board, and later serving as the state representative for Concord, Carlisle, Sudbury, and Acton. Following her work in the legislature she led the successful effort to keep the iconic Gilbert Stuart portraits of George and Martha Washington in Boston. George’s portrait — “The Athenaeum” — was used as a model for many stamps as well as the dollar bill. She also continued to practice law locally, and served on the boards of Emerson Hospital and the Concord Cooperative Bank.
Gen was the consummate hostess for social, political, and most especially family gatherings. She loved bringing people together and rarely let an opportunity to celebrate community pass her by. She was an enthusiastic tennis player and golfer and enjoyed exploring the world.
Gen is survived by her four children and their families: Tim and his wife Carol, Paul Jr. (Chip), Bill, and Jessica and her husband James Pendleton. She had four grandsons, Chris and Geoff (wife Stephanie) Counihan and Jack (wife Sarah) and Lucas Pendleton, as well as two great-granddaughters Aurea and Genevra Counihan.
A celebration of life will be held from 2:30-5:30 p.m., on her birthday, December 15, at Concord’s Colonial Inn.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service. For her online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
