McKay, Georgena Antoinette 77, Stellarton. Gena passed away suddenly on January 17 at her home in Stellarton. Born February 24, 1931, at her family home on Foord Street, Gena was a proud lifelong resident of the Stellarton neighbourhood called The Red Row. Gena was a first generation Canadian. Her father, William Bellick, was born in Ukraine and emigrated to Canada on his own at the age of seventeen. Her mother, Rose Kowalski, was born in Poland and came to Canada as a child with her extended family. In her youth, Gena was a crack softball player, known especially for being a strong hitter. She went to work at an early age, first in thelaundry of the old Aberdeen Hospital, then continuing the same job when the new hospital was built. Gena took an active role in her union, and was Secretary Treasurer of CUPE local 741. Gena was a great fan of old-school country music, especially Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams, and although she was out of her teenage years by the time of Hank Williams' death on New Year's day in 1953, she was one of the legions of young women across North America who cried real tears at her heartthrob's passing. The popularization of the musical compact disc enabled Gena to build a small library of her favourite old country crooners, and she was able, right to the day she died, to irritate her husband by cranking the Hank Williams late into the night. Gena had an active social life, and looked forward to her daily coffee with friends at McDonald’s on the East River Road. Gena lived for her family, and for well over a half-century, she was a paragon of wifely and motherly devotion. Her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren always came first. Her husband came a close second, and she always thought of herself last, if at all. She leaves behind a family that sorely grieves her death. She is survived by husband, Leo McKay, daughter, Rosemary, sons, Leo Jr. and Alan, sisters, Mary Davidson and Tosha MacMillan, brother Billy Bellick; grandchildren: Angela Power, Julie Power, D.A. Power, Joel Hughes McKay, Mairi Hughes McKay, Laura Hughes McKay, Isaac Dimock, Solomon McKay; great-grandchildren: Josh Engel, Kaitlyn Engel, Megan Engel, Ethan Fraser, Olivia Power. Husbands, wives, significant in-laws: Amanda Power, Kevin Fraser, Kevin Engel, Melissa Dimock, Kathy Hughes, Len Parent. Special in her heart were the staff and friends at McDonald’s, and her longtime hairdresser, Barb Young at the Beauty Barn. Good-bye, Gena. Good-bye, Mum. Good-bye, Grammie. Visitation with family is Tuesday, January 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at HC MacQuarrie Funeral Home , Stellarton. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Lourdes Church with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Reception to follow Mass at the Sister Catherine Steele Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mutiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.