Virginia Ann "Ginny" Gardner
Marriages
James Gardner - 1972
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B Death Notice - November 27, 2019
Virginia Ann Gardner, 90, of Grand Junction, died Nov. 21, 2019, at HopeWest. Private services will be held.
The Daily Sentinel page 3D - February 2, 2020
Virginia “Ginny”, 90, passed
away, peacefully, November 21,
surrounded by her family.
Born to Mary Jane and Fred
Barden in Norfolk, VA, Mom
grew up in a military family
In her youth, she and her
siblings, Robert, Betty, and Jane
experienced adventures that
spanned the globe from Cavite,
Philippines to Honolulu, Hawaii.
After attending Mary
Washington College in
Fredricksburg, VA, Mom
married David Lewis Gunckel
(deceased) in 1949. She
continued her adventures as a
Naval Officer’s wife, moving
from port to port and raising
their children, David, Kurt,
John, and Katherine.
Mom married James Gardner
(deceased) in 1972, moving to
her beloved Colorado mountains, where she and Jim made their
home for many years. A resident of Grand Junction, Colorado since
1992, Mom loved the beauty of the Western Slope. She was an
avid hiker, birdwatcher, wildlife lover and gifted artist. Her love of
nature inspired a deep spiritual connection.
Mom, thank you for holding our hands, opening our hearts to
the beauty of life, sharing your story and loving us always. You
were so much to so many. Most of all, you were a beautiful human
being with a full heart, a mind full of wisdom and curiosity, a gentle
presence and an inner strength that guided you through life. Your
wonderful sense of humor made for thousands of belly laughs.
There is not a day that has gone by that the thought doesn’t cross
the mind, as to how we got to be so unbelievably lucky to call you
Mom. Your compassion and unconditional love for your children
was a guiding light that showed us to be kind and empathetic
throughout our life journey. We are who we are, so much thanks
to you. You were our best friend. We have come to understand
that there is a part of you that will live on in us forever. You live
on beneath everything we do and are. You were the person who
believed in us.
Mom, we love and miss you.
Ginny is survived by sons, David (Belinda) Gunckel, Kurt (Linda)
Gunckel, and John Gunckel, and daughter, Kathy Arbeiter; sister,
Jane Cornett; grandchildren, Kurt, Forrest, Jessica, David, Sam,
J.J., and Ashley, and seven great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. Private family memorial services will
be held at a later date.
Our deepest gratitude to HopeWest Hospice, and Cappella of
Grand Junction for their loving care and dedication.
