Eugenia C. Avery

Eugenia Christina Avery

Born: August 4, 1963, in Austin, Texas

Died: May 22, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Eugenia Christina Avery, known to her loved ones as Genie, was born on August 4, 1963, in Austin, Texas. She spent most of her life in Pittsburgh, where she attended Frick Elementary School, St. Paul’s Middle School, and the Ellis School for high school. An excellent student, Genie went on to earn a B.S. in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987, and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1991. After passing the bar, she worked at the firm Deipenbrock Wulff Plant & Hannegan, in Sacramento, California.

Genie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager, at a time when the technology for managing this disease was rudimentary, and she unfortunately faced the further challenge of hard-to-manage brittle diabetes. She had a strong will and didn’t let this stop her from living life to the fullest. She went swimming whenever she could, devoted herself to academics while in school, and worked as a restaurant server to pay her law school tuition. She was extremely social and no matter where she was, always had a vital and supportive group of friends.

Genie’s law career was sadly cut short due to a traumatic brain injury from a diabetic coma. She remained funny and friendly, always the person with the best memory for dates and past events. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, family, and pets, as well as embarking on trips to the Jersey Shore, watching movies, and indulging in shopping. She was an avid reader, proud of not needing reading glasses even in her later years. Genie also had a passion for card games and Bingo, lately multitasking with four Bingo cards at once.

Genie is survived by her loving family, her sister Annie (Alison Gross), brothers Constantine and Will (Joanne Shaw), and nieces Sofie Avery, Grace Avery-Gross, and Lily Avery-Gross. The family would like to acknowledge Lisa Longo, Genie’s childhood friend who remained close and visited her regularly during her time in Pittsburgh.

Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Friday from 1 – 4p.m. Funeral Saturday, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral 10a.m.

In memory of Genie, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in her name, in place of sending flowers.

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