Virginia Smith

Ginny was born on May 30, 1943 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to George "Howard" and Ruth (Apitz) Hall. She was raised in Fargo, North Dakota and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1961 and St. Olaf College in 1965. She moved to Madison to live with her close friends Susie, Mary and Gretchen at the University of Wisconsin while she got her Master's Degree in English. There she met her first husband, Jerry Lassen. Together they moved across the country and landed in Victoria, British Columbia, where they had their son, Eric. Four years later, in Tacoma, Washington, their daughter Anne was born. Following an amicable divorce, Ginny met Jerry Smith and they were married in 1984. Although they lived across the state, she embraced his two kids, Charmaine and Graham, as her own. Ginny and Jerry were happily married until he passed away in June 2021.

Ginny loved to help others. She eventually moved into the field of social work, including doing home studies for an adoption agency, working for Child Protective Services and ending her career in foster care placement with DSHS. She loved her work and those she met along the way. She was also a strong political advocate and believed wholeheartedly in social justice. She cherished those she met through the First United Methodist Church of Olympia and the Olympian Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and helped serve the homeless through Camp Quixote. She adored and cared for creatures of all sizes- raccoons, possums, and especially cats, despite suffering terrible allergies.

Ginny's other lifelong passion was making music. She performed in community musical theater productions, sange with her OUUC choir, played fiddle in a band, and led countless singalongs with her guitar. Before her diagnosis, she spent her retirement caring for her grandchildren, performing in nursing homes, helping friends and family, and volunteering with hospice.

Ginny was a fearless extrovert with a magnetic personality that touched so many lives. She was loved by many.

She is survived by her four children, Anne Brown, Eric Lassen, Charmaine Gural and Graham Smith; six beloved grandchildren, Jonas Brown, Sophie Brown, Molly Lassen, Jasper Lassen, Tabitha Smith and Noah Smith; and her three younger siblings, Karen Hall, Patricia Ostrem, and John Hall.

Ginny's celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, December 11 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Lord Mansion in Olympia, Washington, Located at 211 21st Avenue SW.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association in Ginny's name: http://act.alz.org/goto/Ginny_Smith.