Geneva Ives
Published February 3, 2009
Geneva Vivian Ives, of Little Boston, died on Feb. 3 at home, surrounded by loving family.
She was born to Clara and Foster Jones on April 18, 1923. The eldest of 13 children, she was the first Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe member to graduate from North Kitsap in 1941. She married Joseph C. Ives on June 17, 1944.
She was a member of S’Klallam Worship Center and a teacher of S’Klallam culture, language and song, beadwork, traditional foods and medicine, and the worship of God. She played guitar, piano, accordion and harmonica. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph C. Ives; her brother, Robert Jones; sisters Virginia Ives, Helen Nicholson, Betty Roberts and Leola Sparks; her daughter, Carmelita Seachord; grandchildren Santana and Edawnya Ives; and great-granddaughter, Shannon Sullivan.
She is survived by her brothers, William, Daniel, Floyd, Jake, Don and Gene Jones; six children: sons Joseph, Raymond and Patrick Ives; daughters Tina Ives Armstrong, Debra and Betty DeCoteau; 31 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and more loving family.
A funeral service was held on Feb. 7 at the Little Boston Tribal Center in Kingston.