Geneva Historical Society To Honor Volunteer of the Year

Geneva, N.Y.: Much of the work done at the Geneva Historical Society is dependent on the efforts of volunteers. Without them, the Historical Society would not exist. During 2018, volunteers staffed special programs and events, assisted with fund-raising, completed research, helped maintain the buildings and grounds, served on committees, worked in the archives, and performed dozens of other tasks. These volunteers help the staff and board of trustees to pursue our mission with a wide variety of programs, while maintaining our collection and properties for the benefit of the community.
 
The Society chooses one volunteer each year to recognize the contributions of time and talent that all of our volunteers have made to the Society. This year Diane Khouri has been chosen as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year.
 
Diane has volunteered for the Historical Society in several capacities over the years. She was a Tour of Homes docent several times and has been in charge of publicity for the Wassail Bowl Sale since 2001. Since 2007, Diane has helped deliver field trips to first and second graders at The Washington Street Cemetery and Geneva History Museum. She has been a huge help to the staff in managing to delivery consistent quality programs for Geneva school children.
 
Born and raised in Canandaigua, Diane is the youngest of eight children born to immigrant parents. A graduate of Canandaigua Academy, she earned her undergraduate degree at Kentucky Wesleyan College, and her Master’s in education at Western Kentucky University. After teaching three years in Louisville, Kentucky, she began teaching in Geneva in September of 1971 at North Street School. She taught second grade there for 30 years before retiring in 2001. She met and married her husband Jim in Geneva. They were married 25 years until his death in 2017. She also volunteers at Living Center North and South and at Seneca Lake Terrace, leading sing-a-longs with the residents. She is President of the Antiochian Women of St. Michael's Orthodox Church, sings in the church choir, and is on the church council. She has also volunteered at The Smith Opera House and the Geneva Music Festival.
 
The Volunteer of the Year award will be presented at the Society’s Annual Dinner on June 12 at Belhurst. For more information about the dinner, call the Geneva Historical Society at 315-789-5151 or visit genevahistoricalsociety.com.