Geneva Bernice Taylor passed away peacefully at her home Oct. 15, 2020.
She was born August 15, 1941 in Scott City Kansas to Lila and Bud Huffman. The family moved
to a farm in Colorado Springs when she was three and then settled in Toponas on a ranch for
seven years. Eventually, her family moved to Yampa, Colorado where she graduated from high
school.
In 1961, she graduated from Parks Business School in Denver where she received her
secretary's business certificate in nine months. She moved to Steamboat Springs and married
Joe Canetti. Their daughter Vicki was born on December 24, 1962.
Geneva began her job as a secretary at Routt County National Bank working with Del Scott. Del
was not only her boss but became a mentor and friend. They worked side by side for many
years in the bank and outside the bank as well. Geneva continued her career in banking for
almost 40 years, her journey took her to Community First National Bank and Bank of the West.
Even before her title of Senior Vice President of Loans, she helped many people on their
journey to new homes and to new businesses. "She knew people, who needed help and what
they were capable of," said Trenia Schipper Sanford. "If it wasn't for Geneva, we wouldn't have
been able to buy our first house or launch my husband's practice. You could always get an
answer for a difficult question from Geneva!
Geneva met Jack Taylor in 1970 when he came into the bank. After some brief encounters, he
wrote a check and asked if she could cash it. It said ​ "One date to the Denver symphony. ​ " She
accepted the check and they "cashed it". They were married three years later. They celebrated
their 47th-anniversary last year. The two of them became a team well known in Routt County.
In 1964, Del and Geneva made the momentous decision that Routt County desperately needed
a place for seniors to live. Thus they sought funding and began the project that resulted in the
senior citizen's apartment buildings Mountain View Manor (1974), Aspen View Apartments
(1977) and the Selbe Apartments (1990). Geneva continued to oversee this project for the rest
of her life. She was the treasurer from the beginning and served as a Project Manager for
many years. She became the touchstone for all things senior.
Geneva also served her community in other ways. She served on the Yampa Valley Medical
Center Board, the Perry Mansfield Board & Foundation, Routt County Senior Citizens
Foundation, Routt County Republican Central Committee, Yampa Valley Medical Foundation,
Steamboat Springs Rotary Club, as well as Beta Sigma Phi. She was also the perfect choice
(and always accepted) the role of trustee for many family trusts. She was a rock-solid member
of her church and was a CBS (Bible Study) leader. She was the consummate volunteer. Even
after retirement after 39 years, she didn't slow down. Always a team, she and Jack set their
sights on his political career. He served as a Colorado Representative for 8 years and a
Colorado Senator for 8 more, Geneva always at his side. She once joked that it was hard to
say if it was a case of the man behind the woman or the woman behind the man. They just
supported each other through it all.
She worked for many years without recognition until she received the Hazie Werner Award in
1998. This award represents excellence in community service.
After retirement, Geneva got the chance to focus on her grandchildren, Vicki, and husband Trent
Bushner had two children, Brianna (Klamer) and Dakin Bushner. It was a complete blessing
that grandson Dakin brought the newest member of the clan to visit Geneva in her last week of
life, his brand new daughter Raelynn. She got to hug and kiss the baby and be with family in her
last days.
Geneva's faith was strong enough to carry her through her battle with pancreatic cancer, and
through losing husband Jack to Covid in April 2020. She faced a difficult surgery this year that
was meant to save her life. She and daughter Vicki got to spend eight months together which
Vicki said was time that proved to be a real gift.
Geneva leaves behind her daughter Vicki, son-in-law Trent, grand-daughter Brianna and her
husband, John, grand-son Dakin, his wife Katie and daughter Raelynn, and brother Darrel
Huffman and his family. Geneva has an extended family in Steamboat Springs which includes
Dean Look and family, Don Huffman and family, and the Northrop family, as well many others
who will miss her. She was a matriarch to anyone that was remotely related to her and even if
they weren't. If you were lucky enough to be her Godchild, you were lucky indeed!
There is a quote which will guide the celebration of life to be held. "The Lord replied, ​ The times
when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

Geneva's fellow Rotarians provided the following quotes in her honor.

"True in her convictions, and defining graciousness and class, Geneva was even-keel and
a steady hand on the tiller."
​ - Jim Moylan

"She and husband Jack, gave of their time and passion to so many in our town. She was the
wise sage through difficult decisions and truly lived service above self every single day." ​
- Karen Schneider.

"Geneva was an amazing lady - full of grace and beauty- a role model for all of us to follow."
​ -Susan Hoffner

A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friday, October 23rd at Yampa Valley Funeral Home. A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24th at the Steamboat Springs Cemetery. If you would like to make a memorial donation please make it to the Concordia Lutheran Church 755 Concordia Lane Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

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