Virginia Anne Whitehead

Gini was predeceased by her parents (Cmdr. Ean V.P. Sunderland, Anne H. (“Nancy”) Bell-Irving) and youngest son Samuel Brendan Whitehead. She is survived by her husband Roger Jay, sons James “Mike” (Jillian), Cameron (Melissa), 4 beautiful grandchildren, Oliver, Clio, (Jacob) Kai and (Elliot) Jay, her brothers, Brian (Linda) and Mark (Doris) in West Kelowna, Whitehead in-laws in Alberta and more than a dozen nieces and nephews with their many children.

Gini was born in Victoria where she developed a love of adventure, horses, light and nature that she carried to NATO postings across Canada, Europe, and Virginia. In her youth, she rode competitively and pursued both academics and athletics with success at school, where she was named All Ontario Female Athlete in 1968.

She studied briefly at the avant-garde “New Experimental College” near Thisted, Denmark, then painted her way across Europe before returning in 1971 to drive alone from Virginia Beach (via Mexico, the French Quarter and California) to Victoria, which she recognized immediately as “home”. She later met Roger, raised and cherished 3 sons who brought her joy, graduated B.F.A. (Visual Arts) and continued living with that passion for art, nature, entertaining friends and contributing to community that so defined her. She died peacefully at the home on Portage Inlet that she made beautiful, surrounded by nature, art and love.

At her request, there will be no memorial service until an open-house in summer. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the Whitehead family.