Virginia Kickliter Ostrander

Born in Tampa, FL on June 15, 1930 to Paul Revere Kickliter and Lucille Hall Kickliter, Virginia (Ginny) was the oldest of five siblings. She was independent and courageous from a young age. One summer, while a teenager, she took the train to North Carolina to work on a tobacco farm. During WWII, she sold tomato plants at the Tampa shipyard docks and donated her proceeds to the war bond campaign. Ginny attended the Academy of Holy Names in Tampa and continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a degree in dental hygiene. At UPenn, Ginny met the love of her life, Clinton Fryer (Bud) Ostrander Jr., DDS.

Ginny and Bud married in 1953 and spent their next 40 years in New Jersey, where Bud established his dental practice and where they raised their two children. During these years, Ginny’s life was rooted in her community - Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, Morristown Junior League, Morristown Mem. Hospital Auxiliary, and more. One of Ginny and Bud's shared lifelong hobbies was antiquing. Over the years, what came of this, were hospitable and inviting homes brimming with curated treasures, each with a story of its own.

In 1992, Ginny and Bud retired to John’s Island in Vero Beach, FL where they would thrive and enjoy the remainder of Bud’s years together. In 2017, Ginny moved to The Cedars of Chapel Hill, NC, to be closer to family. With every move Ginny made, she gathered new friends and cultivated life-long relationships; she never met a stranger!

Ginny was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Every day, she wrote in her “red book,” where she kept a record of dozens of birthdays, anniversaries, and life events — Ginny made a point to remember and recognize others. This quality was certainly treasured by many. We will miss Ginny, her warm and commanding presence, contagious laugh, and adventurous spirit. We will remember her for her thoughtfulness, enthusiasm for life, and, most importantly, for showing us the power of God’s redeeming love.

Ginny is preceded in death by her husband Bud and siblings Helen Pauline Stratton and George P. Kickliter. Ginny is survived by children Craig C. Ostrander and Candace O. Mallard; son-in-law Larry W, Mallard; grandchildren Andrew, Caroline, Elizabeth, and Hannah; great-grandchildren Scout and Mary McCarthy; siblings Lucy K. Creel and Patrick S. Kickliter; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses, aides, and many caregivers in New Bern, NC, and Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC. These individuals showed great care and love towards Ginny during her last years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Virginia Ostrander be made to First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32960.

A celebration of Ginny’s life will be held at The First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach, FL on October 28, 2022, at 10am in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church, Vero Beach, FL. The service will be livestreamed at www.firstpresvero.org. To view the service, click "Media" (located at the top of the page), then click "Memorial Services."

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Virginia Kickliter Ostrander. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cottenfuneralhome.com for the Ostrander family.