Virginia (Ginger) C. Niskanen crossed over to the Sky World on Sunday February 4, 2024.

Excerpts from Ginger's own diary:

I was born on a cold winter's day on the 21st of February 1936 at the Royal Hospital in the Bronx, NY. My Mother and Father, Dominic Mare and Josephine (Marold) Mare, brought me home to 1847 Bathgate Ave. Bronx, NY, where my older sister, Jean was waiting for us. All my Aunts and Uncles lived in the same apartment building or in walking distance from each other.

My Father worked for the Post Office delivering mail and would be up and out by 5:00am each morning to deliver mail on his route on Longfellow Ave. He was very lucky to be working in the Great Depression Years.

My sister and I went to St. Joseph's Catholic School on Bathgate Avenue, just 2 blocks from our apartment building from first grade to eighth. We were first taught by the Sisters of Charity and then by the Dominican Sisters. St. Joseph's Church will always have a special place in my heart. My parents were married there, my sister and I were baptized, received our Communion, Confirmation and were married there, and two of my daughters were baptized there.

When I was 14 years old, the summer of 1950, my Father took me to Yankee Stadium to see a baseball game. I saw Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto and Yogi Berra. I can't recall who was pitching that day—Whitey Ford or the "Big Chief" Ali Reynolds. My Dad got me a bat and a Yankee Year Book.

My years at Walton High School, an "all girl" school, were unforgettable. I had to take two busses to get there. We had bus passes so we didn't have to pay on the bus. I graduated in June of 1954 at Carnegie Hall in NYC.

Shortly after, I became engaged to my husband Olavi "Nick" Niskanen. We were married September 5, 1955 at St Joseph's Church and spent our Honeymoon at Sunnyhill Farm in the Catskills. After moving to Middleburgh, NY in 2003, we returned to Sunny Hill in 2005 for our 50th Anniversary, in 2010 for our 55th Anniversary (and for our 60th and 65th).

I worked as a typist at Con Edison for one year. After we got married, I didn't have to work. In those days if a man had a good job, it wasn't necessary for a woman to go to work. Times change, not always for the better. Yesterday's luxuries became today's necessities.

We moved from the Bronx up to Yonkers, then bought our first house in Mahopac Falls NY in Putnam County. After Nick retired, we moved up to Middleburgh, NY in Schoharie County, not very far from Sunny Hill Farm where we spent our Honeymoon.

Nick and I were blessed with three daughters- Geri White, Linda Zaicek and Mary Prisco. Son in Laws- Tom White, Glenn Zaicek and Greg Prisco, grandchildren- Natasha Zaicek, Amanda Moreau, Glenn Zaicek, Jr, Nicholas Zaicek and Carson White. Great grandchildren- Anthony Zaicek, Angelina Gomez, Greyson Moreau, Hudson Moreau, Eila Moreau, Angelo Rodriguez, Arianna Rodriguez and Great, great granddaughter, Aviani Castillo.

Ginger was predeceased by her Sister Jean Gesselli, brother in law, Leo Edward Niskanen, brother in law Eugene Gesselli, nieces Terri Gesselli Goordineer and Carolyn Gesselli Mullholland and nephew Mark Makipuro.

She will remain in the hearts of Sister-in-Laws: Eila Makipuro of Willimantic, CT, Jeanette Niskanen of Niantic, CT, Shelly Niskanen of Hamton, CT, Brother -in Law Paul Niskanen of Hamton, CT, Brother in Law Hannu Makipuro of Wilimantic, CT, Nieces and nephews: Robert Gesselli, Denise Gesselli-Yap, Anthony Gesselli, Maritta Makipuro, Amy Niskanen Richter, Eric Niskanen and Alan Niskanen.

As well so many other family members and friends who enjoyed her company, her kindness and especially her love and generosity.

Ginger was a very benevolent person. She supported many charities for many years which include: Best Friends Animal Society, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Wounded Warriors. She collected cans and bottles to benefit the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley in Howes Cave, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please offer someone your smile, a kind word or a random act of kindness in her memory.