Genevieve Jackmon-Boulden, 75

GENEVIEVE Jackmon-Boulden was something of a social gadabout.

She was a people person who was never happier than when she was out meeting people, working for worthy causes, dining out at restaurants with family and friends, or traveling around the world.

"She loved to go anywhere anybody took her," said her daughter, Tracey R. Odom. "She was an upbeat person. She lived life to the fullest."

Genevieve, a 39-year teacher at the Anna B. Pratt School in North Philadelphia who kept doing substitute teaching after her retirement, and a community leader who was active in her sorority, died April 13 of breast cancer. She was 75 and lived in Yorktown.

One thing Genevieve was not was a cook.

"She hated the kitchen," her daughter said. "She would have loved to live in a house that didn't have a kitchen at all."

Instead, she really liked dining out. She did not have a favorite restaurant, but enjoyed going all over the city to dine.

"If you said, 'Let's eat,' she was always ready to go," Tracey said. "After my daughter was born, the first thing she recognized was Dunkin' Donuts, because grandmom took her there every morning."

Genevieve was born in Philadelphia to Herman and Odessa Jackmon. She graduated from Germantown High School and received her bachelor's in education from Cheyney State University. She later received a master's degree from Temple University.

She married Derrick J. Boulden in 1960. He died in 2000.

Genevieve retired from the Pratt School at 22nd Street and Susquehanna Avenue in 1995, but continued to substitute there and in other schools until about two years ago, when she became ill.

As a Temple student, she traveled to Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Jamaica on student tours. She also enjoyed the Atlantic City casinos.

Genevieve was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and was on the boards of the Yorktown Community Development Corp. and Delaware Valley Community Health Inc.

With these organizations, she was always busy raising funds, setting up functions, distributing fliers, whatever was needed.

"She was a big socialite," Tracey said. "She was always willing to help people. Anyone who needed anything done, they went to her. She never had a bad word to say about anybody."

Genevieve was a night owl. She loved sitting up late at night watching old movies on television. "The Wizard of Oz" was a big favorite. She watched it whenever it was on the tube. But she would watch westerns, romances, dramas, whatever was playing."

"She could get along on three hours of sleep," her daughter said. "I don't know how she did it. She'd be up all night and get up in the morning and go off to teach."

Genevieve had a beautiful voice and sang in choirs as a youngster. She played piano and would play and sing around the house to the delight of kids and grandkids.

Besides her daughter, she is survived by a son, Troy Alexander Boulden, and four grandchildren.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m. May 12 at Yorktown Arms, 1300 W. Jefferson St. *