Virginia B. ‘Ginger’ Smith, 79, of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at 9:42 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in her residence.
She was born May 17, 1934, Plainfield, N.J., to Harold Bergstrom and Irene (Torell) Bergstrom. She was a graduate of Van Wert High School, Van Wert, Ohio with the class of 1952. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Indiana University in 1956 and a Masters Degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin in 1958. She also received a certification in school psychology from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne in 1977. She married John L. Smith on June 17, 1958, in Madison, Wis.
She lived the past 46 years in the Winona Lake/Warsaw area. She taught preschool to deaf children and taught kindergarten and eighth grade. She served as a school psychologist for North Central Special Education Cooperative for 13 years. She also worked as a guidance counselor for the Whitko School Corp for 7 years and as a school tutor at Black Lake Lodge in Columbia City, for Whitko High School students. Virginia also taught summer school for Whitko Middle School as well as weekly classes to divorcing parents for the Whitley County Court System.
She was a member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Warsaw, where she taught sunday school for 3 years; coordinated and taught church vacation bible school. She served as secretary, vice president and president for the Warsaw YMCA for 4-5 years; secretary and vice president of the Cardinal Learning Center for 8 years; secretary of the board for Warsaw Parks and Recreation (appointed by the mayor); board member of CASA for 7 years; division Chairman for United Way for a year; Wayne County Cancer Chairman for 1 year; treasurer, member of American Association of University Women for 7 years where she had been treasurer, vice president and president; and worked with Welcome Wagon and Meals on Wheels. Virginia was proud that she lived with a clean criminal record. She had no misdemeanors and no felonies –not even a traffic accident report on her record. “Ginger was the kind of parent and grandparent who was committed to her church, family and community. She will always be remembered as a kind, loving and compassionate person who will be greatly missed as a mother, friend and mentor.”
She is survived by two sons: Brendt L. Smith, Winona Lake; Harold Smith, Winona Lake; two daughters: Christine (William) Cuban, Winona Lake; Teresa (Paul) Beckwith, Fishers, Ind.; and 10 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 424 W. Market St., Warsaw. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Warsaw with Reverend Corrine Hodges of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church officiating. Burial will take place in columbarium at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church/Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Memorial contributions may be directed to K-21 Health Foundation – Cancer Care Fund, PO Box 1810, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1810.
To sign the guest register or leave online condolences, visit the Titus Funeral Home website.