Genevieve Helen Hemenway

December 19, 1928 – January 17, 2026

Born Genevieve Helen Schlinkmann, to Hazel E. Schlinkmann (Bowman) and Fred Schlinkmann. Genevieve was adopted at a young age by her devoted, adoring father, Silvio (Botchie) Santi of Fields Landing, CA. where she lived for over eighty years. 

Genevieve grew up in and around the Fields Landing Hotel and Botchie’s Crab Stand (est. 1928) both owned and operated by her parents, (Hazel and Botchie). Her early years included memories of the town as a bustling whaling port. She was enthralled by the player piano in the hotel, she would watch guests play for hours at a time. She took to the keyboard quickly as a child and her love for music grew from there, leading her to become an accomplished pianist. 

After attending Field School and Eureka Senior High School, (class of 1947), Genevieve attended Humboldt State University and studied music. Her talent was noted and she was offered placement with the Philharmonic Orchestra on the east coast. Though she did not ultimately join the orchestra, her musical gift was present throughout her life. She taught her two daughters to play the piano and ukulele, and entertained several generations of family and friends with her talent throughout the years. 

In December 1950, Genevieve married the love of her life, Eureka High classmate, Ellis Hemenway. It was a quick and lasting match – on their third date, Ellis asked her to marry him, and they were married for over 63 years. Two weeks after their marriage, Ellis was deployed to combat in the Korean War. Genevieve endured the longest, most difficult two years of her 97-year-long life during his deployment. Upon his return, Ellis and Genevieve were together constantly, and never spent any time apart. 

Genevieve and Ellis took ownership of Botchie’s Crab Stand from Genevieve’s parents which became known throughout the Redwood Empire for selling only the freshest and highest-quality local Dungeness crab. The couple happily committed to long, hard-working days spent on their feet side-by-side working through the winter crab season year after year. The hard work and long hours offered Genevieve and her family the opportunity to spend months each year at their summer home in Dinsmore, where she could savor life. 

Genevieve enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and had a deep love for the outdoors. She learned the art and science of gardening from her father and her vegetable gardens were always teeming with beautiful produce. She loved gardenias, begonias, orchids and African violets and was skilled at tending the most finicky of flowers. Genevieve was a friend to nature, always taking care to enjoy and protect the beauty she found. She instilled her love and respect for the natural world in her daughters and their growing families. 

Genevieve was an accomplished cook, taking up many of the dishes and traditions of Northern Italy, her father’s homeland. Homemade gnocchi were a specialty, pillows of love covered in rich, flavorful red sauce made with chicken, pork and salami. Cakes and pies were also a specialty, and she loved to treat her family to homemade mincemeat or huckleberry pies. 

Genevieve is survived by her daughters Victoria Smith and Cynthia (Iver) Skavdal; granddaughters Christine (Sergio) Mendes and Allison (Mike) Skavdal-Taylor; and grandsons Blaine Owsley, Loren (Becky) Skavdal, and Carson Skavdal; and five great-grandchildren: Christopher Mendes, Reese and Riley Skavdal-Taylor, and Marissa and Iver Skavdal. She is also survived by her niece Sandra (Norm) Ball, nephew Tom (Ardis) Schlinkmann and families.

Genevieve was predeceased by her husband, Ellis B. Hemenway, her parents, Hazel and Botchie (Silvio) Santi, her in-laws, Bernard A. and Marie (Wasmuth) Hemenway, biological father, Fred Schlinkmann, brothers Herb Schlinkmann, and Fredrick Schlinkmann.

A private graveside service will be held late January.

A special thank you to the people at Redwood Memorial Hospital, Hospice of Humboldt and Alder Bay Assisted Living Facility for their excellent, loving care. 

Donations in Genevieve’s memory may be made to any of the following organizations: