Born on Christmas Eve, 1931, Eugenia “Genie” Riordan Mulé was the light and love of her family and friends for her 90 plus years. Genie died on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. She followed the star and was truly a light in this world.
Genie literally grew up in the Catholic Church. Her father, Reverend Michael B. Warady (1897 – 1987) was ordained in the Byzantine Rite Catholic Church in 1924, shortly after marrying Hungarian-born, Elizabeth Zombory (1903 – 1975). They had their second daughter, Genie, when Warady was pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, in Weirton, West Virginia.
Genie adored her two sisters, Andrea Volpicelli (1927 – 2002) and Sylvia Palmer (Joseph) of Annapolis, Maryland. They enjoyed making their mother’s traditional recipes, such as chicken paprikash, pecan cookies, nut rolls and sweet Easter bread.
After graduation from St. John’s High School in Pittston, Pennsylvania, Genie earned her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Marywood College in 1953. She worked as a dietician at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.
In 1955, Genie married her first husband, Richard Riordan, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where their only son, William O’Brien Riordan (1956 – 1978), was born. Soon after, Genie and Dick relocated to South Pasadena, where their four girls were born: Mary Elizabeth Riordan of Santa Barbara, Kathleen Ann Riordan of Ojai, Patricia Riordan Torrey (Dana) of Manhattan Beach and Carol Ann Riordan (1963 – 1982). A full-time mom of five, Genie and family moved to their home on Edgewood Drive where she lived for almost 30 years. Genie loved her garden and the many creatures who visited daily. She cherished sharing her joy of musical theater, dancing and singing with her family.
In addition to summers with relatives in Maryland, Genie organized several family trips including a four-month adventure of a lifetime through Europe with her parents and family in 1970. This was the first of many visits with Genie’s Hungarian/Slovak family in Bratislava.
From personal medical challenges to the untimely deaths of her children, Billy and Carol, Genie’s faith helped guide her to the next chapter of her life. In 1985, Genie married her second husband, John Salvatore Mulé (1932 – 2009). They resided in Pasadena. Their family grew to include John’s three children, John Mulé (Betsy) of Gilford, New Hampshire, Judi Hills (Kevin) of Valencia and Jill Hart (Bruce) of Hampton, New Hampshire. After John’s passing, Genie moved to Pacific Palisades.
One of Genie’s biggest joys was spending time with her grandchildren: Luca Ferrel, Jessica Torrey, Elizabeth Torrey, Olivia Mulé, Stephanie Krist (Nate), Megan Leigha Hart and one great-grandson Julien Krist. In addition, she leaves behind a myriad of loving nieces and nephews.
Genie was actively involved in many charitable causes such as Mayfield School, Huntington Hospital, City of Hope, Resurrection Catholic Missions, Marywood College and St. Anne’s Shrine to name a few.
Genie’s smile and spirit will continue to shine brightly as we imagine her dancing and singing in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The National MS Society at 5150 W. Goldleaf Circle, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90056.
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