AUBURN – Her classmates knew something back in 1933.

Voted “Most Brilliant Woman” by her peers at Lewiston High School, Geneva Kirk spent a lifetime in education and decades volunteering.

She chalked up accolades – Kirk Hall at Central Maine Community College and several awards are named after her – and made history in 2004 as one of the two last living alumni with three degrees from Bates College.

Kirk died on Friday at age 90 at Clover Manor.

“She just never stopped being active, ever,” said Chip Morrison, president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. She was named its “Woman of the Year” in 1988.

Morrison and Kirk served on several committees together. Often, when people retire, they turn inward, he said. Not her: “Always kindness, always ‘What can I do to help?’… She turned outward.”

Kirk taught at Lewiston High School for 30 years, until retirement in 1979, according to her obituary. She wrote books, served as a Girl Scout troop leader, helped raise money for the Red Cross and United Way and was active in more than a dozen organizations throughout her life.

She was also a longtime member of the High Street Congregational Church.

In May 1993, Kirk Hall was named in her honor and the Twin Cities’ mayors proclaimed it Geneva A. Kirk Day.

She was an emeritus member of the board of trustees when CMCC President Scott Knapp was hired.

“Everybody always knew that Geneva Kirk was the person that would rally the community” when rallying was needed, Knapp said. “She was very outgoing, always had an opinion on almost anything, but always well-meaning, always respectful.”

Today Kirk Hall is a “very vibrant building,” housing the nursing department, gym, athletic department and several labs, he added.

“She was truly the embodiment of people who give to the community all the time,” Morrison said. “There’s a ton of things named after her, there probably should have been a ton more.”

State Sen. Peggy Rotundo said Kirk was a “great inspiration” and that she was proud to call her a friend. Kirk worked as a campaign volunteer for Rotundo, and Rotundo said she remembered once giving her a list of places to call to get permission to place campaign signs. Kirk wasn’t feeling well, and the senator told her, it’s OK, you don’t have to.

“Within 24 hours she called back: She had called every single name on that list,” she said.

Kirk leaves an amazing legacy in her good works, Rotundo added. Always humble and modest, “She didn’t talk about it, she just went out and did it.”