Virginia S. “Ginny” Shreve
Hockessin DE
“I’ve had a beautiful life”, a declaration often made by Ginny over the 98 years of her life. Ginny’s worldly “beautiful life” came to a peaceful and serene close on Sunday, October 29, 2017, when she embarked on her journey to return to stardust and heaven. Ginny held an unwavering faith in God, coupled with an unshakable belief in the immortality of the human spirit and soul. Ginny knew unequivocally that she is going to be embraced by God and that she will rejoin with family and loved ones who have preceded her in death. She is now reunited with, among others, her parents, Dr. Donald and Madeline Sterrett, her brother David S. Sterrett, her sister Martha Townley Powell and her beloved husband John E. Shreve.
While it is impossible to convey the totality of a person’s life in a few lines, it must be said that Ginny led an energetic, purposeful and meaningful life dedicated in large part to the well being of others. She marveled at the technological and social evolution she witnessed over her long lifetime. She remained curious and hopeful for all of the people of the world, demonstrating her support for causes she deemed worthy with frequent and substantial financial contributions, including civil rights, women’s rights, Native Americans and racial equality. In sum, her life was “one well lived, and lived well”.
Born in Erie PA in 1919, she graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1937. She studied at the Mather College of Western Reserve (now Case Western) in Ohio, receiving her B.S. in 1941. Following a scholarship study at the Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit MI, Ginny went to Johns Hopkins Hospital to complete her internship in dietetic studies in 1942.
Ginny married her life-long home town sweetheart John Shreve in June of 1943. When John returned home from serving in the US Army in Europe during WW II, they started their family and their respective careers. Life was stimulating and nomadic for them, with work requirements having them move often over the ensuing 3 decades with 3 kids in tow. Ginny planned and packed for moves from Erie, to Montreal, Canada, back to Erie, on to Fairfax VA, then to White Plains NY and eventually back to Fairfax. In addition to raising her 3 children, Ginny applied her professional skills as a dietitian at the Fairfax (Inova) VA and White Plains NY hospitals from 1964 to 1984. Always seeking professional self-improvement, she pursued intensive studies that allowed her to achieve the title of Registered Dietitian in 1969.
Her interests were diverse. Raised on the shores of Lake Erie, Ginny loved all things water – swimming, sailing, and boating. She was an avid participant and supporter of the Girl Scouts. She loved to travel, enjoying cultural and environmental pursuits. She liked to laugh and she knew how to have fun, enjoying pastimes such as bowling, square dancing, card games of any sort and dabbling at golf.
She considered herself a “people person”, curious and interested in their well being. She made close and enduring friendships with many who came into the orbit of her life, whether through work, play or just living down the block. She was ever ready to listen and offer support. While always a caring individual, for those who knew her well there was never a doubt as to who was “in charge”!
But unquestionably Ginny’s passion was her family – a source of joy and love. Ginny is survived by her daughters, Leslie Shreve Willis (Joel), and Raleigh Shreve Orth (Don) and by her son Dana Shreve (Lynn). Also surviving her are her beloved grandsons Nick Orth (Jill), Bart Orth (Heather) and Ben Orth (Linsey); her “adopted grandson” Daniel Gomez Estupiñan; 12 spectacular great-grandchildren – Jackson, Mitchell, Linkin, Lyric, Kenia, Kylee, Cael, Brooklyn, Benjamin, Amanuel, Abreham and Galilee. Also surviving her is her dear sister-in-law, Anne Shreve Minkowski, as well as many truly loved and remembered nieces and nephews.
In 1995, Ginny moved to Delaware and to the wonderful retirement community of Cokesbury Village. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all of the members of the Cokesbury Village Health Care staff – Ginny called them all her “second family” – for the devoted and affectionate care they provided to her for nearly a decade when her mobility became compromised. Sincere thanks also to all of the residents at Cokesbury who became “new and dear” friends to her throughout her tenure at the community.
A service of remembrance for the life of this humble and God-loving woman may be held at a date to be determined. True to her lifelong interest in science and human wellness, Ginny has offered her remains to the University of Delaware Physical Therapy department as an anatomical gift for the benefit of the education of future health care professionals.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mary Baker Eddy Library Fund, P.O. Box 239103, Boston MA, 92115, or to a charitable organization of your own choosing.
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