Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Dee Phyllis Genetti, aged 66, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024. The daughter of the late James Flavin and Phyllis Estabrooks (Malone), Dee was an esteemed figure in her community, recognized for her passionate advocacy for those with disabilities.
Dee earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in 2003, followed by a PhD in Educational Studies from the same institution in 2019. She authored several important publications, beginning with “They Forgot I Had Feelings Though I Could Not Feel” in 1992, one woman’s poetic journey from tragedy to hope following a life-changing car accident. Her subsequent studies included “An Autoethnographic Inquiry of Identity Transformation and Posttraumatic Growth Following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)” in 2019, “Identity Transformation and Posttraumatic Growth Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” in 2023, and her latest contribution, “Blossoming Into Disability Culture Following Traumatic Brain Injury,” published in 2024. Her work has provided valuable insights into the experiences of trauma survivors.
Dee was an active advocate for those with disabilities and a dedicated member of the Wilmington Commission on Disabilities for over 35 years. She worked to promote civil rights, self-determination, and human dignity, focusing on social integration and ensuring compliance with disability laws. Additionally, Dee co-hosted the TV show “Access Abilities with Dr. Dee and Marquis,” alongside her beloved service dog, Marquis, contributing further to her advocacy efforts.
She is survived by her children, Christopher Genetti and his family of Exeter, CA, and Blake Genetti and his family of Tewksbury, MA. Dee also leaves behind her dear friends, Jonathan Sprogis of Nashua, NH, and Bud Callahan of Wilmington, MA; her siblings, Janice Pero of Burlington, MA, Kathy and Brian Keiski of Frederick, MD, James Flavin of Concord, MA, and Beth Estabrooks of Winchester, MA; and her dear cousin, Hal Walsh from Bryn Mawr, PA. Also mourning her loss are her nieces and nephews, Jeremy and Sarah Barrett and their family of Mendon, MA, and Jennifer and Keith Kady and their family of Derry, NH, along with many cousins, other nieces, nephews, and friends who will dearly miss her.
Family and friends are invited to gather for Visiting Hours at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Monday, May 20th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass in her honor will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 21st at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dee’s memory may be made to NEADS World Class Service Dogs, P.O. Box 1100, Princeton, MA 01541.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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