Island Commons is a Level IV Residential Care Facility providing Residential Care, Respite Care, and Adult... moreIsland Commons is a Level IV Residential Care Facility providing Residential Care, Respite Care, and Adult Day Care. Our Chebeague Cares program provides in-home assistance with tasks of daily living. Their mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, supervised, individually tailored, family-focused home where elder adults can age gracefully and lovingly in place.
Raised $0
Contributors (0)
Or select a charity of your choice or another one that was personally meaningful to Virginia "Ginny" Ballard
We created this memorial page to celebrate the life of Ginny Ballard. Below you will find links to her obituary, Ginny's own account of her greatest joys and memories, where to donate in lieu of flowers, and details for the services.
OBITUARY
- Obituary - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vklze-yfqG5IKYyNVz8rmzzXeW0GMVVs/view
- In Her Own Words - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ZeUowVVuHnQwR9CZVk5qbJmYLSMzghA/view
- Donation Recommendations - https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Wnc-jMlN0w-YUYTq5aPAkarGWvZr0jR/view
- Memorial and Celebration Event... see more
My best friend for more than 50 years. I'm devastated that she has died, even though I knew her health was not good. I wish someone had told me she died, but I understand. Ginny and I met when we were 10 years old, going into junior high school. Her... moreMy best friend for more than 50 years. I'm devastated that she has died, even though I knew her health was not good. I wish someone had told me she died, but I understand. Ginny and I met when we were 10 years old, going into junior high school. Her father had just died and I had had my own traumas, so we bonded. We both became great fans of "The Man from UNCLE" TV show, and of the Beatles' music. We were separated in High School due to there being so many (boomer) kids they built a new, separate school, and she had to go to the new school (New Trier West), but we kept in touch. My fondest memories are of going to Khatmandhu (the Ballard home on Great Chebeague Island) with Ginny. She was in her element there, and loved that place. She virtually ran the house after the death her "Little Gran", and cared very much for the residents on the island. We kept in touch over the years, even when I moved to Greeneville, Tennessee to care for my mother until she died. In fact, it was shortly after the death of my mother in Dec 2019 that I last talked to Ginny. Little did I realize that would be the last time. I'm glad she is buried in Chebeague Cemetery. She and I used to go there and take pictures of the stones, as they had wonderful poetry and mottos on them. (She was a great photographer, btw!) Goodbye, Ginny. I'll meet up with you later. less
What a truly special person. We miss you Ginny. I miss you Ginny!
Ginny & I first met a few years back when she visited my bookstore in Falmouth. Initially she only had Copper Lee but then one day she appeared with Tessi nestled inside her vest... moreWhat a truly special person. We miss you Ginny. I miss you Ginny!
Ginny & I first met a few years back when she visited my bookstore in Falmouth. Initially she only had Copper Lee but then one day she appeared with Tessi nestled inside her vest and that was it .... we were all swooning around her wanting to see her kitten. She loved her kids so much, it always lifted our spirits at the store.
Ginny would settle right in and sometimes stay for up to an hour, looking through our Remainder sale books, children's books or stocking up on greeting cards. We all stopped working when Ginny visited and settled in for a catch up, treats for the kids and of course a few snaps of the them, which would ultimately end up on our Instagram feed ..... a lot of love came their way!
Copper-Lee and Tessi were always allowed to roam freely in the store.
In fact, Tessi would come back and jump on my desk and explore. Ginny and I traded texts after each bookstore visit and I'd share the snaps from the day. It brought us all joy.
One of the last times I saw Ginny I snapped a pic of her on the floor cradling Tessi, while Copper Lee tried to hog the limelight! :)
Ginny always had a smile no matter what she was going through and always thought of the children on Chebeague and filling their library with good books. Ginny was loved by all of us here at Book Review and she is sorely missed.
Rest in Peace Ginny, from all of us at Book Review less
I remember when Ginny came home from the 'Cradle" in Evanston. It was a very big deal to add another cousin to a large group of us, especially in this way. I remember she was very pretty. I was about 11 years older. Soon I was allowed to baby sit... moreI remember when Ginny came home from the 'Cradle" in Evanston. It was a very big deal to add another cousin to a large group of us, especially in this way. I remember she was very pretty. I was about 11 years older. Soon I was allowed to baby sit and did so many times. I was terrible at it as I could not wait to go home. I remember she was very easy to watch and read to, along with JoeD, of course. When her parents changed churches we did not see so much of them. And I was never privileged to get to know her. However, with cousin Ted, I regard her as one of the best people in the world, based on the few times I was with her. I consider her to be a giant of a person in our clan for her humility, her humor, her love and commitment to her patients and community, her skill and accomplishment as a PA. How I wished she had written down her stories. She was so good at telling them! I loved her! less
Ginny was invaluable in caring for our parents at the Island Commons, allowing them both to receive exceptional care without leaving their beloved Island. She spoke truth in her regular phone/visit updates which weren't always easy to hear but were so... moreGinny was invaluable in caring for our parents at the Island Commons, allowing them both to receive exceptional care without leaving their beloved Island. She spoke truth in her regular phone/visit updates which weren't always easy to hear but were so necessary and helpful in guiding our decisions every step of the way. When we brought our Dad home for his last days, Ginny was right by our side making sure that we had everything that was needed, to relieve us during the night hours of care and to provide constant support through a very difficult and heartwrenching time. We are forever grateful for her skilled, caring and selfless pouring out for our family when we were hurting and in great need. She was a unique and very special gift from God. less
I can't exactly recall the first time I met Ginny, but it was in the 1970's either at the Ballard's house in Barrington or in Evanston. I was in Nursing School and Ginny was in PA School and we shared many stories of medical adventures. When she and... moreI can't exactly recall the first time I met Ginny, but it was in the 1970's either at the Ballard's house in Barrington or in Evanston. I was in Nursing School and Ginny was in PA School and we shared many stories of medical adventures. When she and Katie were living together we had wonderful times. The best times I remember were picnics at Deer Point, talking, climbing on the rocks with Betsy, Teddy (Ellis) and Charlie. What a wonderful soul with such a big heart. The world and specifically Cheabeague Island is a better place because of Ginny. Rest in peace my friend/. less
This is Liz, from the Massage School (NHITA) where Ginny taught for many years. She passed on her classes to me and I always felt I had HUGE shoes to fill. I don't have quite the collection of stories that she told, but dang it, I try to do her proud.... moreThis is Liz, from the Massage School (NHITA) where Ginny taught for many years. She passed on her classes to me and I always felt I had HUGE shoes to fill. I don't have quite the collection of stories that she told, but dang it, I try to do her proud. Her smile and her love for life were a potent source of inspiration for so many. Her physical presence will be missed but her spirit is living on in all of our stories about her. Ah, Ginny...... less
I am so grateful for Aunt Ginny and cherish the memories I have of her. She was a role model of strength, commitment, love, devotion, and selflessness. Words can not describe how much I will miss her.
We knew Gin’s death was coming, but it is devastating nonetheless. As Hugh’s mum would say (in her English accent), "Ahhh, she was a one." Those of us lucky enough to have known and loved her, and been loved by her, are better people for our... moreWe knew Gin’s death was coming, but it is devastating nonetheless. As Hugh’s mum would say (in her English accent), "Ahhh, she was a one." Those of us lucky enough to have known and loved her, and been loved by her, are better people for our attempts to live up to her example. Ginny set "the gold standard" for kindness, counsel, generosity, and selfless disregard of her own medical obstacles in order to help others in need. We are heartbroken.
Times such as this call for us to put the kettle on -- Ginny and I always laughed about how the Brits knew that a good cuppa was cause for celebration or would ease even the most difficult moments. Even after Hugh and I moved away, Gin and I would call each other and chat over a cuppa. RIP, VMB 💕 less
Though I didn't see her much in recent years, Ginny was one of my favorite people in the world.
During college in the summer of 1963 Granny employed me as her "tutor" to do odd jobs and look after the younger kids at... moreFrom Ellis Boal
Though I didn't see her much in recent years, Ginny was one of my favorite people in the world.
During college in the summer of 1963 Granny employed me as her "tutor" to do odd jobs and look after the younger kids at Khatmandhu. I failed at the job in ways too many to detail, including dunking Granny in the water twice. But my one success was thrillingly to engage the young ones. I remember many games, sails, and picnics, and numerous glorious wrestles on the carpet floor with the "3 witches" -- as Mom termed them -- Ginny, Katie, and Jeannie.
Later at the 100-year Chebeague reunion around 2002, Ginny and I spent time together. I visited her clinic, and we walked out to Deer Point. Then she brought me to visit fisherman Sanford Doughty, who remembered the time he pulled me out of the daysailer Wyn Dune, that I had capsized solo in the bay, one sunny blustery day that summer. (I had cleated the jib sheet.)
Ginny was good to be with. She had a wonderful droll outlook on life.
Ginny, fair winds and following seas.
Loading ...
