Gena Elizabeth Rangel

Gena (Ungerer) Rangel

August 1, 1940 – June 18, 2026

GENEVA - Longtime Geneva, NY, resident, Gena (Ungerer) Rangel, musician, singer, concert organizer, producer, and educator, died in Geneva on June 18th, 2026.

Gena was born on August 1, 1940, in McLean, VA, to Virginia Dolan (Joplin, MO) and Herman G. Ungerer (Geneva, NY). At an early age, Gena demonstrated an affinity for music and song, as well as high-level verbal skills. Gena had a strong connection with the Finger Lakes Region as she and her family would frequently spend summers and holidays in both the Lyons and Geneva areas, as her father’s family (Ungerer and Braconier) resided in the area. She received a full academic scholarship to attend Vassar College in 1957 (all women at that time), where she majored in Music and Spanish.

After graduating, Gena moved to New York City, where she embarked on a career in music and teaching. She joined the Arcadia Nova Chamber Ensemble and also became a permanent choir member at the Church of the Ascension (NYC, Greenwich Village) with Vernan DeTar. She became certified to teach high school and got a job teaching at the La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts (NYC). She also married John Rangel (Ponce, Puerto Rico) and had three sons and picked up a fabulous step-daughter in the deal. After retiring from her teaching job in NYC, she made her final full-time move to Geneva in 2005.

Gena passed away doing what she loved most: preparing for a new show, working with musicians, stage technicians, set designers, and with the incredibly dedicated, warm, hard-working, appreciative, and patient people on the board of the Geneva Light Opera (GLO), the Smith Opera House, along with the wonderful, exuberantly generous and passionate members in the Geneva community. GLO’s production of The Daughter of the Regiment is projected for July 23, 25, and 26th, 2026.

Gena (Ungerer) Rangel is survived by her sister Jan Ungerer Baker, step-daughter Minerva Rangel, son John F. Rangel (daughter-in-law Barbara Benntree and step-dog Shadow), son Chris Rangel (daughter-in-law Burul Sadekova, grandson Josh Rangel), and son Gregorio Rangel (daughter-in-law Aimée Samuelson, grandson Sebastián, and grandson Olivier Martín).

Family and friends may call on Wednesday (June 24) starting at 10:00 a.m. at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery immediately following the service.

For tributes and condolences, please visit www.mcguiganberofuneralhome.com