Genevieve “Miss Val” Sipich. Miss Val taught two generations of Bridgeport children to dance. 86 years with us, proceded in death by her husbands Edward Brunell and Nicholas Sipich. The dearly beloved mother of daughter, Edwena Brunell, son Val Brunell and his wife Magda. Dearest nonie to Laura, Julie and Emma Brunell. Great-grand nonie to Saskia Brunell. As of ten years old, Genevieve Gaspardo left the small coal mining town of Wilsonville, Illinois to travel on weekends to Springfield, Illinois, to take dance lessons and live with Mildred Caskey, her teacher and mentor. As a teenager she came to Chicago to attend and graduate from Austin High School while dancing in night clubs. Genevieve Val’s professional career grew as she performed in various night clubs on Rush street and throughout the the midwest in the late 1930’s and 40’s, the Club Alabam being one of her favorites. In the mid 40’s, she met and married Edward Brunell, had her children, and settled into domestic life. In the 50’s, Edward became ill and passed away leaving Gen to raise an eight year old and six year old alone. During this time she began her own dance school, Val’s Dance Studio in Bridgeport. Gen married Nick Sipich in 1964. For the many years the two of them worked in the community; Gen teaching, NIck creating sets and driving together they gave of themselves for musicals and the girl’s cheerleading squad for De La Salle High School. They brought many dancing acts to entertain veterans at Hines Hospital. Miss Val also trained students who were chosen yearly for the Nutcracker Ballet at Christmas. She also put on annual dance recitals from the early 50’s until 1991. Nick passed away in 1990, and Gen retired in 1992. She spent nine happy years writing letters, reading two daily papers, keeping house and spoiling her grandchildren. Unfortunately, she suffered a series of strokes and Alzheimer’s Disease between 2001 and 2004. For the last three years of her life, her loving, selfless, and constant caretaker was Edwarda Mysliwiec, to whom the family wishes to extend its most sincere gratitude. We would also like to thank the workers from Vitas Hospice for their special care. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Miss Val’s name to the Ballet Chicago Studio Co., 218 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60604 312-251-8838. Funeral Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. from Michael Coletta Sons Funeral Home, 544 W. 31st St. (Formerly Blake-Lamb-Bridgeport) to St. James Church, 2940 S. Wabash. Mass 10 a.m. Interment St. Mary. Visitation Monday only 6 to 9 p.m. 312-225-8500
