Jan. 22, 1933—July 25, 2009

ROYALTON— Carol J. Genet, who served as town clerk for 27 years, died Saturday in her lifelong Royalton Center home after a brief illness, during which she received care from Niagara Hospice. She was 76.

Born Carol Mann, she was the senior class president and salutatorian when she graduated from Royalton-Hartland High School in 1949. The following year, she was valedictorian of St. Joseph’s Business School in Lockport.

As town clerk from 1975 to 2002, Mrs. Genet was crucial to the smooth operation of town government.

“The supervisors sort of depended on her a lot. She was a very bright girl,” said Elmer M. Zolyome, a former councilman.

One of the town supervisors she worked with, Lloyd L. Westcott, remembered that Mrs. Genet helped him when he was handed the post after his predecessor suddenly resigned just before the town budget was due.

“If it hadn’t been for her, I don’t know if I would have gotten through the first year,” said Westcott, who ended up serving eight years.

Mrs. Genet and her husband of 54 years, Albert K., who died Jan. 11, were staunch Republicans.

Westcott said, “She and Albert were almost like, if you weren’t Republican, you weren’t alive.”

Mrs. Genet was a member of the Royalton Republican Committee and secretary of the Niagara County Republican Committee for 12 years.

She also was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Middleport, and the historical societies of Royalton, Bergholtz and Ridgeway, Ont.

She enjoyed reading, especially about history, and traveling around the United States.

Survivors include two daughters, Joanne Haseley and Ellen Baxter, and a sister, Sandra Haigler.

Services were Thursday in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Middleport.