Thalia Kirsten Genes of Newton and Watertown passed peacefully on May 11, 2017 after a long battle with breast cancer. She is free again to dance, bike, row, hike, cook, drum, and all the things she loved to do that her body wouldn’t let her for so long. Thalia is remembered most for the joy and laughter she brought to her family, friends, and everyone who met her, especially her two nephews, Truman and Oliver, who were the light of her life. After a childhood in Norway and schooling in Newton, Thalia went on to UMass/Boston and Lesley University and dedicated her life to helping others as a mental health counselor. Her ashes will be buried in the garden at Grace Church in Newton after a memorial service held there on Friday, June 2 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Thalia are encouraged to donate to Casa Myrna Vasquez (casamyrna.org), a shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence, and/or Rosie’s Place (rosiesplace.org), a sanctuary for poor and homeless women.