Born in Hammond, Indiana on August 3, 1938 to Gordon and Sophie Toncheff, Germaine was the oldest of three children. Gordon (Sonny) Toncheff (deceased), and Krist Toncheff. Germaine's parents moved from Hammond IN, to Tucson when she was just 5 years old due to her asthma. She graduated from Tucson High School in 1956. Tucson is where she met the love of her life, Jack Jenkins. She was only 16 and Jack was 19, when they eloped to Bisbee, Arizona. Following their wedding, on the way back to Tucson they were involved in a serious car accident.  While in the hospital recovering, Germaine's parents insisted that they do a proper wedding in their church, thus Jack and Germaine always had two anniversary dates. Their marriage lasted almost 64 years, until his passing at age 83 in 2018.

Germaine worked most of her adult life, while raising her five children. Her last job was in Procurement with Hughes Aircraft, retiring in 1987 to take care of her husband. Her career did not define her, family did.  Jack and Germaine successfully raised five children, Nanette Slusser (Tom), Debbie Johnson (Keith), Jackson Jenkins (Julie), Tim Jenkins (Laura), and Kathy Kreuzer (Brent).  She also leaves behind 9 grandkids, 8 step-grandkids, and 6 great grandkids. Jack and Germaine opened their home to more than a dozen foster kids over the years. Many remain a part of the family to this day and stayed with Germaine at her bedside throughout her final days.  She loved nothing more than having family gatherings, and more recently getting to hold her newest great grandkids. Germaine passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2024, surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed, and remembered always. We will always be grateful for the love of family that our parents instilled in us.

We love you, Mom!