Virginia "Ginger" Marie Burke

Virginia Marie Burke (Ginger) was a resident of Ventura, California for the past 3 years after living in Coos Bay, Oregon for over 20 years with her husband, John, who passed away on October 21, 2013. She loved Ventura, loved her home at the Patrician Mobile Home Park, valued being closer to her family, adored her Tuesday Bible study ladies, and attended Encounter Church. She was born in Janesville, Wisconsin and is survived by 5 sisters (Rose, Linda, Stacey, Pat & Elizabeth) and 1 brother (Joe). While living in Ventura, she so enjoyed taking the Amtrak to visit her sister, Rose, in Tustin, California. They took turns making the trip to each other’s homes. They were two peas in a pod and savored their time together. Her favorite pastimes included walking, crocheting, reading, quilting, various crafts, yoga, camping, and she was active in her church. She was also an amazing artist and especially loved bird watching.

In February 2018 she was diagnosed with lung cancer in addition to other serious comorbidities. She fought hard. She suffered much. She was a very strong woman who touched lives even during her declining health. She will be missed terribly by her family and friends. We will never forget her beautiful smile and laughter. She most wanted to be remembered for her faith and love of Jesus.

She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Wilson (Ventura, CA), son-in-law, Lee Wilson (Ventura, CA), son, Danny Hollingsworth (Bakersfield, CA), son, Matthew Hollingsworth (Croatia), daughter-in-law, Branka Hollingsworth, and son, Marcus Hollingsworth (Loveland, Colorado), along with granddaughters Katie Hollingsworth, Danielle Hollingsworth, Jazmine Hollingsworth, and Brianna Hollingsworth, as well as grandsons Tye Hollingsworth, Kevin McAtee, Sunny Hollingsworth, Phoenix Hollingsworth, and Liam Hollingsworth. She also has many nieces & nephews, too many to count.

Mom, we love you so much and are thankful you are no longer suffering.

Her favorite verse from the Bible was the 91st Psalm.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Surely, he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge--

then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

***

If tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times

You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.