Genny O'Donnell passed away suddenly and peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2019, with family at her side. She was born on June 17, 1961 in Philadelphia, to the late Frank and Doris O'Donnell.

Genny was kind and creative and a compassionate observer of the world around her. She studied photography at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and obtained a degree in Human Services from Chestnut Hill College. Photography, art, writing and listening were the tools common to all of her endeavors.

As a Community Service Representative for Philadelphia's Center City District, she became familiar with the homeless population and began her outreach to them.  This led to a decade of work with Project Home, and fifteen years as founder and director of the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) in Montgomery County, PA.

Genny loved those she worked with and learned from them, and she made little distinction between the homeless and the helper.  She gave comfortable space for those around her to be better and to tell their own stories.

She enjoyed traveling, art, and music, and spending time with family and friends, balanced by creative time alone. She could be trusted to poke fun at the serious and find beauty in unexpected places, and laughter was her first and last resort.

Genny is survived by her sister, Carolyn, and her brothers Gregory (Helen), and Philip (Sue); and many long time friends.

Family and friends are invited to Genny's Memorial Service on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Church on the Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA  19462 at 10 AM.  They will receive guests from 9-10 AM on the same day.  Burial will be private at the request of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Genny's honor to the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC), for the development of a new building. https://www.rhd.org/program/in-memory-of-genny-odonnell/