Former Dearborn Public Schools teacher Genevive Vasiu in her 90s enjoying life after teaching 42 years at Long elementary and Lapham elementary schools. She celebrated her 100th birthday on Nov. 24 surrounded by friends and family.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — A former Dearborn Public Schools teacher turned 100 years old on Nov. 24.
Genevieve Vasiu, who lives in her own condo in Howell, has caretakers and son Dr. Sam Vasiu helping her on a daily basis.
Genevive Vasiu grew up in Berville where she attended elementary and middle school and high school in Armada.
After she graduated, Vasiu went to Eastern Michigan University when it was known as Michigan State Normal College. That is where she discovered she wanted to become a teacher.
“She told me once that she originally wanted to be a lawyer, but she was young for her class age and went to Michigan State Normal College,” Sam Vasiu said. “She liked the people she went to school with, who were all going to become teachers and the teachers at the school, so she decided to become a teacher.”
On July 1, 1935 Genevive Vasiu began teaching, and exactly a year later began teaching at Long and Lapham elementary schools in Dearborn.
Vasiu taught from 1936 to 1942 before taking a 10-year maternity leave, then returned and taught from 1953 to 1978. She taught a total of 42 years in the Dearborn district and retired on July 1, 1978.
During Vasiu’s 43 years of teaching, the students she taught influenced her the most.
“I loved the kids and they were all so wonderful,” she said. “I never had to scold a child. I miss the kids because I love them and they loved me.”
She now spends her time shopping and walking around the stores to keep her walking ability going, she said.
“She had a good career and she enjoyed her work,” her son said. “Occasionally former students will contact her.”
He said they celebrated his mom’s birthday with a party on Nov. 23 in Howell surrounded by friends and family.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)