Northampton, Genevieve Mae Burnett, 70, of Northampton, died Thursday November 5, 2015 at Care One at Northampton. She was born in Northampton July 9, 1945 to the late Charles and Catharine {Johnson} Burnett.

Genny grew up in Amherst and lived in Northampton, Brattleboro and Greenfield. She was largely self-educated.

She struggled with and suffered from mental illness all her life, but was able to express her feelings and thoughts very powerfully through her art. She was recognized early on as especially talented and became accomplished and recognized in several art circles around the country for her oil paintings which expressed her unique perspective.

She busied herself with art, reading educational books and inspirational magazines, journaling her thoughts and making craft gifts right up to the week she died. She has composed a multi-hundred page autobiography which her best artist friend and agent, Michael Tillyer, of the Anchor House of Artists in Northampton, is finishing. In many ways she identified her life and struggles with those of Vincent Van Gogh.

She took solace in her pursuit of and assurance in Christian Truth. When able, she attended College Church in Northampton.

She found comfort in giving a good home to several cats over the years, especially Mike, of whom she painted many artworks.

She is survived by her brothers Robert Burnett and his wife Tawnya, of Southampton, Tad Burnett and his partner Marie Frazier of Mt. Holly, VT., and her former sister in-law Marilyn Schupp. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Burial will take place Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 9:30AM at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst. A memorial service will be held the same day, Saturday, at 1:30 pm at College Church in Northampton.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Genevieve Burnett Fund C/O Anchor House of Artists 518 Pleasant St. Northampton, MA 01060.