A Tribute to My Friend Ginny

This is the most difficult story I’ve ever covered in 30-plus years in broadcasting and print media.

Several knew Ginny (Virginia) Strausburg, (or my nickname for her, Gin-Gin) who formerly worked with our local utility company’s foundation. Many were touched by her giving spirit, heart of gold and generosity to our city and region.

That was the day job, but after hours it was sending countless texts, sometimes dozens a day. She was my counselor, therapist, reasonable debater—politically we were on the same page 100%—but most importantly a dear, dear friend and lunch buddy.

We laughed so much my eyes watered and she cackled so loudly she set off the house alarm. Of course, there are many stories, but we bonded more after she left her long-time position and I vacated the premises at my TV job.

We would lunch often, either out or at her place where she’d serve her famous Gin-Gin Mexican Lasagna. By dessert, we had every one of the world’s problems licked. Why didn’t folks in power come to us?

Her sons, Nick and Greg, and her family wrote some heartfelt words about their amazing mom. With permission, I’m sharing their words in italics.

Grandmother, mother, artist, community activist, Ginny lived a wonderful and improbable life. She was born in the hills of Kentucky to poverty and limited prospects, but she always had a passion for learning, and a relentless drive to do more with her life.

She left this world December 21, 2020, at 74 years young, after unexpectedly being diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma.

Those who knew her sense of style will appreciate that she departed on the winter solstice, with the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn forming the first Christmas Star in almost 800 years.

She was also an accomplished businesswoman, starting her career as a civil service typist and part-time waitress and retired 51 years later as an executive director of a nonprofit organization supporting the less fortunate in and around Ohio.

In those years, she raised two children, Greg and Nick, loved and entertained her grandchildren, Alyssa, Gavin and Alexandra with unconditional love, worked full time while earning her bachelor’s degree as her children were in college, almost beating them to graduation, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Wilberforce University.

Unfortunately, losing her beloved husband Jim in 2014 was devastating.

She became an amazing artist, painting beautiful sceneries that made the heart dream of seeing them, and created amazing glasswork.

I had admired one of her many paintings that she insisted I have. Proudly hanging in my living room, the beautiful winter scene is cathartic. Calms me down in a sea of nuttiness.

While she accomplished many great things, she will be remembered most for all that she shared with her grandchildren, family and friends; her cooking talents were in short amazing. (A passionate vegan.) She loved the classics and trashy romance paperbacks alike but instilled in her family a hunger for reading that has passed down two generations.

She found great appreciation that a woman born into poverty, educated in a one room schoolhouse and ate what the land could provide was able to meet U.S. presidents, senators, rock stars and actors.

Good friend Pat Meadows added, “I met Ginny in 2003 through my work as executive director of The National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton when I sought funding from the foundation. Our contacts began as a business relationship but became much more as our backgrounds were similar and a mutual commitment to diversity and inclusion were in sync. I thank God for the time she was in my family’s and my life. I hope she, Jim and Charles, my husband, are having a good time reminiscing about our many special moments. She will be missed, but never forgotten.”

Another close friend, Becki Mount from the utility gig wrote, “We humans are funny—we don’t always let everyone see the same person. My friend Ginny was many things to many people and wore many hats. The one she wore with me was a friend’s hat. Neither of us had to prove anything to the other—we both just accepted each as we were. Ginny was a good friend and I will miss her long as I am able to draw a breath.”

Tight friend and former Dayton mayor Rhine McLin said, “Ginny never forgot her roots and had a passion for people. She so loved her family, friends and community. Ginny cared and shared herself with so many people and organizations. Ginny is missed.”

Finally, the family asks that you support those less fortunate than you. Above all things, be kind to each other as Ginny would have. You can support one of her favorite charities, K12 Gallery & TEJAS, in her name.

That’s my Gin-Gin. Left the world better than it was and continues. God, do I miss her.

Rest in power among beautiful gardens of color.

Buch