Patricia “Pat” F. Genzel
August 16, 1942 - January 27, 2026
Patricia “Pat” F. Genzel, age 83, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Born in Kanawha County, WV on August 16, 1942, she was a daughter of the late Herman Leslie and Josephine Biddie (Mitchell) Fankhouser. Pat attended Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston, WV, where she excelled in her academics. She was a member and writer of the Jackson Journal, winning an award for the Best News Story. Pat graduated Cum Laude, and was on the President’s List, from Goldey-Beacom College in 1985. She went on to have a successful career as a certified public accountant and partner of Belfint, Lyons, and Shuman, P.A. until her retirement in 2010.
Pat enjoyed giving back to her community as an active member, past president for 2 years, and Paul Harris Fellow of the Southern New Castle County Rotary Club. She also dedicated countless hours volunteering at the Friendship House. Deep in her faith, Pat was a member and usher at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Wilmington. Her life revolved around her family, and she found her deepest fulfillment and greatest joy in the time she spent with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed the simple things in life; music, dancing, and taking walks around the neighborhood. She also loved to travel and explore the world with her late husband, John. Pat spent every football Sunday cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles. Once the football season was over, she would head to Florida for the Philadelphia Phillies spring training nearly every year. Pat loved cars, especially NASCAR. She even completed a Monster Mile in one of the racecars at the Dover Motor Speedway in Dover.
In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Genzel, Jr.; son, Brian Clendenin; and brother, Shannon Fankhouser. She is survived by her sister, Reynea Dowen; aunt, Drema (Mitchell) Hanshaw; cousin, Sue Garrison; children, Nicki Maggiore (Paul), Diane Phelps (Bart), Linda Ross and John Genzel III (Sandra); 14 grandchildren; and a total of 18 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to the Friendship House, P.O. Box 1517, Wilmington, DE 19899 or online by clicking here.
Alice Smith
The Members of the Rotary Club of Southern New Castle County will miss our dear friend who lived Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Daniel B Boer
Dear Pat. I’m sorry that you left our lives so soon. Thank you for the distinct honor of letting us into your life and the precious memories that we hold near and dear to our hearts forever. Especially coming to Ocean City to see us and be with us during this event. We love you deeply and will surely miss your beautiful smile and personality.
Dan, Kelly, Starr and Andrew.
Nicki Maggiore
Miss you with all my heart my beloved mom and best friend. Give everybody hugs for us. Love you so very, very much. I’ll keep talking to you to tell you how I am and tell you how much I love you! 💖
Daniel B Boer
It is with a heavy heart that we are sorry for your loss of such a wonderful woman like Pat. She really loved life in general and lived it to the fullest each the best way she knew how. Just wanted to say that a piece of our hearts are and forever be with you. Spread your angel wings. We all love you.
Dan, Kelly, Starr and Andrew.
Regina M Grubbs
Pat, you have been one of my most dedicated, and determined health and fitness clients.Always willing to meet the challenge. Your spirit and attitude has been an encouragement and it has been a privilege to work with you. Watching you continue to work, drive all over the states and love it. I will always remember how we laughed together and shared our lives. More than a client you are my dearest friend. You are forever in my heart and till I see you again in heaven I will miss you.
Love,
Regina Grubbs
Kamini Patel
I’m so sorry for your loss. Pat was one of the most important people in my life. She didn’t just guide my career — she shaped the person I became. When I was still finding my footing as a supervisor, she was the one who looked at me and saw a partner. She pushed me, believed in me, and stood beside me in moments when I doubted myself. Pat changed the entire direction of my life with her trust, her honesty, and her willingness to invest in me. I will always carry her voice, her lessons, and her kindness with me. Losing her feels deeply personal, and I hope you know how much she meant to me.”
Jan Meadows
What a blessing, my Aunt Pat. She was my aunt when I was born and was always a blessing to our family. She and John showed love and kindness to Mom Riffle and to each one of us. I will miss her very much and I will always be thankful for her insight with my family history and our talks. I’m blessed to have known her and thankful she has her reward. God bless. Love and prayers to thee family, Jan Perkins Meadows
Fr. Emmanuel Mantzouris
Reyna, I share your grief and your hope. I hope and pray that your sister, Patricia, finds rest with the saints.
Fr. Manny
Patty Asher
I only meet Pat a couple of months ago through Reynea we both work at wawa. My condolences to Pats family. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
Shaun
I am a friend of Reynea. I only met Pat a few times and found that she was an amazing woman! She was kind, and friendly. Knowing that Reynea got to spend the last few years with her sister and that their relationship grew was a gift beyond words. Rest easy Pat you had an amazing life! My condolences to the family.
Leslie Laher
Reynea and to all who loved Pat – I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of spending time with Pat on several occasions when she visited Las Vegas. She was an amazing person, and her legacy will show through all the friends, family and other’s lives she touched. Sending much love and prayers for peace during this time.
Karl Maucher
I’m truly sorry for your lose. I have many fond memories of time spent in her home with Nicki as teenagers. Although it’s been many years since I’ve seen pat, I’ll always remember her kindness and patience toward our youthful misadventures. I send my love and prayers for her family.
Mike & Jackie Smith
Our condolences to all of Pat’s family for their loss. Being neighbors with her and John for 25 years was the best. The projects we did at the house were always a challenge of some sort but they helped me learn and grow my business.
The vacations spent together were always such fun. Since we moved to NC I still kept in touch with Pat to either send jokes which she would give a thumbs up or down to, as well as chat about things life had going on for each of us.
I know she and John must be happy now that they are together again.
I will truly miss them.