Virginia “Ginger” Ann Simonson

Ginger Simonson, forever 24, moved onto her next adventure on November 26, 2023.

Born in Iowa in 1950, she travelled around the world and fell in love with the peace of the Southern California Desert, the joy of Tybee Island, Georgia, the comfort of Venice, Florida, and the beauty of Lake Arrowhead. She resided in other areas, but nothing topped these spots for her.

Ginger was one of a kind. She truly appreciated anyone that was not afraid to be themselves. Her three daughters were raised to appreciate all of the world's beauties and people. We are left without our best friend and our regular daily phone call. She was our shining star.

Against our better judgment, she loved the color purple. She loved her cats, Jasmine and Bomber. She loved dark chocolate, wearing her witch hat everywhere, Green Fin wine, celebrating Mother's Day and Christmas at Luciana's, a bloody mary and many mimosas at Pinocchio's, pretty dresses and skirts, becoming a master of metal jewelry making, smoked fish from Jon's, her daughter's chili lime enchiladas, coffee spiked with Trader Joe's pumpkin spice liqueur, Mohinder's shoes, shopping on Temu, car chases on KTLA, and Pokemon walks (aka, walking outdoors with a glass of wine).

Most of all, she loved being with her grandchildren. She was so proud of them. She loved listening to their music, watching their surfing, dancing, jiu-jitsu and general sassiness. Their smiles and love were what kept her fighting.

During her time here, she was a phlebotomist, a pharmaceutical rep, an accountant, a SAG/AFTRA actress, and most importantly, a wife, best friend, mom and grandma. She did not enjoy organized activities unless she could sit in the back with a smirk on her face.

Ginger did not want to die. At all. She wanted to live. She wanted to spend her life in the desert, going to parades, football games, the brewery in Lake Arrowhead, riding a bike to Tybean Coffee.

It was a terrible and aggressive cancer that stole her from our physical world. We had great plans with her. We booked a broom making class in Salem, we were going to play cards in Palm Desert, and see her eldest grandson's band in Hawaii.

After we started to realize what was happening to her body, she requested we rent a floating tiki bar and throw her into the waters. When we informed her we can only promise the first part, she stated "they won't be able to find me" if we throw her in the waters. She was so sneaky and fun.

She beautifully passed surrounded by her best friends and family. It was a sudden passing as she left behind cards she had labelled to send to her family, gifts she had bought for Christmas.

She is forever a dream come true. When completing her death certificate, we debated how to fill in the occupation field. She had so many roles in life: mother, wife, best friend, seamstress, master jeweler, archery instructor, potter, motor cyclist, knitter, the list goes on. She was our everything, our leading lady. We chose to give her the occupation she truly was: movie star.

We love her so much. We want her back. We will spend every day thinking of her, loving her, missing her. We will laugh at every inappropriate moment and love every animal.

Ginger is survived in this world by her ever loving husband, Kenny. He is supported by those that loved Ginger more than anything: the most awesome daughters and son-in-laws, the coolest grandkids, the best friends in the world, amazing siblings, wonderful nieces and nephews, all the families that unknowingly married into our crazy family, and anyone that had the pleasure of meeting her.

We ask that you take care of your pets, hug your loved ones, and enjoy your life in her honor.