Virginia Colton Poulson

Virginia Wilson Colton Poulson passed peacefully Monday morning, November 11, 2024, at the age of 93. With Ginny’s passing, her bright light, exuberant energy, and warm ray of sunshine dimmed. Everyone who loved her will keep that light burning brightly through their love of family, cultivation and love of friendship and joy and peace found with time in the mountains, lakes and in nature. Ginny’s last days and hours were spent in the loving embrace of her daughters, Pam, Laurie and Linda and close family members.

Virginia or Ginny, as she wanted to be known, was born October 2. 1931 to Gladys Wilson Colton and Richard Clark Colton in Baltimore, Maryland. Ginny moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1939 with her mother, where Gladys later married Ashfield Stow, fondly known as Pops. In 1941, brother Vanderlynn, joined the family. Ginny grew up and attended school in Larkspur, California. She graduated from Tamalpais High School and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she joined Delta Gamma Sorority. Upon leaving Boulder, Ginny became a stewardess during the days where the application process was highly competitive. Her flight schedule to Salt Lake was reluctantly accepted because she had hopes of renting a cabin on the Great Salt Lake and enjoying the sandy beach. While her dream never materialized, Ginny met the tall, handsome Kenneth Poulson while living on the campus of the University of Utah. On November 13, 1952, Ken and Ginny married and began married life in Ken’s hometown of Ephraim in Sanpete County, Utah.

Ginny adapted to living in the small farming community of Ephraim, and worked as a secretary to the Dean of Snow College. While living in Ephraim, she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized in the Manti Temple. They moved to Salt Lake City where all three of their daughters, Pamela Ann, Laurie Susan and Linda Virginia were born. Eventually, they built their home on Scenic Drive and joined their much loved 14th ward. Ginny fully embraced her membership in her new church and served with her characteristic enthusiasm and energy. She organized and set up Halloween Carnivals, led the Primary, taught Young Women and helped with Ward Road Shows. While participating in a Project Temple course, Ken and Ginny received their endowments in the Salt Lake Temple and were sealed to their three daughters. Ken and Ginny loved the outdoors and embraced the active lifestyle Utah offers. Boating, water skiing, and snow skiing were favored activities with their family. They regularly found themselves exploring the lakes in Sanpete County, Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, but finally planted roots on Jackson Lake and Lake Powell where Ken was known as Captain and Ginny, Queen of the Lakes. Her food preparation made each trip memorable. She spent late night hours preparing Kenny’s bologna spread, baking yummy cookies and simmering her trademark spaghetti; she insured the success of each trip.

A common lakeside refrain was heard as Ginny joyfully yelled, Hit it, followed by an exuberant, Yahoo, as she effortlessly gilded onto the water beneath her beloved Tetons or Lake Powell’s red rock. Ginny learned to ski and to tackle the snowcapped slopes of the Wasatch front with equal grace and ease. In later years, Ken and Ginny enjoyed golfing together wherever they traveled. Whether boating, skiing or golfing, she was the ultimate classy lady with perfectly styled hair, color coordinated outfits, and matching golf socks, visors, and shoes. Always immaculately dressed, she set the bar high!

The next chapter of her life was spent In Park City, Utah where new friendships and opportunities for service enriched her life. Ginny and Ken again, embraced the pleasure of their new home. Friends and family gathered in their Park City home, and many family feasts and holidays celebrated!

Finally, Ken and Ginny returned to Salt Lake and Nettie’s Place. Ginny could be found daily hiking the trails of the Wasatch Front and her beloved Millcreek Canyon with friends, family and even solo where she handed out cards inviting others to hike with her. Her days at Highland Cove revolved around making friends, supporting newcomers and leading all in games of Rummicube. Truly a light wherever she landed.

Ginny was a remarkable and much-loved Grandmother who celebrated each grandchild individually and completely. She was their greatest cheerleader and fan. Whether singing songs with grandchildren while riding chairlifts or sitting around a campfire, Ginny shared her love of life and her wide repertoire of colorful songs. Today generations of Poulson grandchildren and great-grands belt out refrains of, “Moosemen”, “Classy Ladies of the Tetons “or “Jackson, Did you Say Jackson”. Teaching them songs, leading them on hikes, skiing the slopes of Park City; she was a vibrant presence and light in their lives.

Ginny was the best friend that anyone could have. Whether hiking with friends, or inviting them to the California beaches, she made all feel loved and special and will be missed by all.

Ginny’s legacy includes her late husband of 56 years and her three daughters: Pam Nelson (Kent), Laurie Robbins (Matt) and Linda Dunn (Michael), step-sisters: Keenan Colton and Elizabeth Colton, and step-brother, Richard Colton. Ginny is “Gram” to 12 beloved grandchildren, including Jennie McCullough, Michael Nelson, Julie Richards, Mark Nelson, Matt Nelson, Jane Heaps, Matthew Wolfe, Jessie Wolfe Wade, Travis Norseth, Jeff Dunn, Brady Dunn, Emi Dunn Rigby and 39 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life followed by Ginger's cake reception for Virginia will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1565 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84108. An interment will occur at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah 84106.