Obituary of Genie Canales

With profound sadness, the family of Dr. Genevieve “Genie” Canales announces her passing on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.  Born February 23, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas, Genie is survived by her son Everett James Gonzales of Greeley, Colorado; her sisters Darlene Canales and Mary Ann Canales of San Antonio, Texas; her nephew Michael Xavier Garza of San Antonio, Texas; and her former spouse Everett Gonzales of Greeley, Colorado; and brother-in-law Xavier R. Garza.

Genie lit up every room with her smile and her unshakeable positivity.  Our memories of Genie are riddled with examples of her extraordinary love for her community and her seemingly endless compassion for everyone with whom she interacted. Genie lives on in the hearts of her loved ones and her students, and we are forever changed for the better because of every moment we spent with her.

Genie grew up in San Antonio, Texas.  Education was among the most important of her values, which is exemplified by her many academic achievements.  She attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic Elementary and Middle School.  Genie was the first student to ever earn a four-year scholarship to Incarnate Word High School where she was voted Most Courteous by her graduating class.  She then received a four-year scholarship to Incarnate Word College (now University of the Incarnate Word) where she graduated Cum Laude and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  Genie then earned a fellowship to Washington State University where she graduated with her Masters and Doctorate in Social Psychology in 1983.  At the time, Genie was one of five latino/a social psychologists in the United States.

Dr. Canales worked at University of Texas Health Science Center in the epidemiology department until 1988.  She then moved to Colorado and spent over 20 years of her career teaching in both the Psychology and Hispanic Studies departments at the University of Northern Colorado where she became a full tenured professor. Genie received a teaching award every year that she taught, and continued to write, research, and publish throughout her career.  She retired in 2016 and gained Professor Emerita status.

Genie was preceded in death by her parents Armando Aristides Canales and Maria Guadalupe Peña Canales of San Antonio, Texas. 

Genie’s Life Celebration will be held on January 5, 2024 at 2:00PM at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Campus Commons, 1051 22nd Street in Greeley Colorado.  Parking will be available at no charge to attendants in Parking Lot ‘C’ located immediately to the South of the Commons.  A second service will be held in San Antonio, Texas, in February.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.

Live stream:  https://vimeo.com/event/3993662