Ginny Gordon

Virginia Ginny Gordon was a vibrant woman who embraced life and created a colorful tapestry of accomplishments and memories along her lifes journey. She was passionate about issues she felt strongly about and was a force to be reckoned with when she supported an issue. Ginny was always one to speak her mind and went to bat for the underdog. She delighted in her family and was an exceptional grandmother who greatly impacted the lives of the generations who follow her. Although she traveled the world collecting a museum of treasures from her travels, nothing made Ginny happier than being surrounded by her loved ones. Although the 1930s were difficult years as a result of the Great Depression, American culture was still part of who we were, too. Art during this decade reflected the struggles of this time period while simple hobbies such as stamp collecting and board games became a new form of inexpensive entertainment. It was on December 29, 1931, that George and Essie (Usher) Colby welcomed the birth of their daughter, Virginia Lou. Ginny was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the youngest of three children in her family. Her father was the manager of a local printing company while her mother stayed home. Tragedy struck early in Ginnys life with the death of her mother when Ginny was just two years old. Her father later remarried a widow with two daughters, Judy & Pat, who then became Ginnys sisters. She was raised in Grand Rapids, but was dealt another devastating blow with the death of her father when she was just nine years old. Ginny remained with her step-mother, but also became very close with her maternal grandmother, Nanny Usher who helped raise her. Ginny attended Fountain Street Church where she sang in the choir. She attended Ottawa Hills High School and also worked at Petersons Drug Store as a high school student. After graduating from high school, Ginny went on to Davenport College where she studied secretarial skills. Also during this time, she met a man named Richard Bylenga whom she dated and later married when she was 19 years old. Ginny and Richard were blessed with four children together: Richard, Bruce, Peter, and Judy. They raised their young family in Ada and although their marriage ended in divorce shortly after Judy was born, Ginny was forever grateful for the children she shared with Richard. Ginny worked hard as a single mother to support her children. She worked two jobs including as the first female school bus driver in Michigan and as a waitress at Shamrock Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids. Through her job as a waitress Ginny began dating a bartender there named Greg Gordon. They married during the early sixties, and Greg legally adopted all of Ginnys children. Their family moved to Chicago and initially lived in the city before settling in the suburb of Northlake. While there, Ginny worked as a secretary. After five years in Illinois, the Gordon family moved to Coopersville, Michigan, where they bought a working farm. They raised pigs, chickens, sheep, horses, and other animals as well. Ginny took up horseback riding and found work as a secretary at Grand Valley State University. They welcomed their daughter, Michele, into their hearts and home in 1968. When her marriage to Greg ended in 1975, Ginny sold the farm and moved to Grand Haven with her two youngest girls, Judy and Michele. She eventually bought a cottage on Lake Michigan that she renovated over time and turned into a year-round residence. Ginny remained in that house for 30 years. She continued to pursue her education as well, taking classes at Grand Valley at night, graduating Phi Kappa Phi with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also continued to work at Grand Valley until she retired as the administrative assistant to the Dean of Arts and Humanities in 1994. Throughout her life, Ginny was actively involved in causes she felt passionate about. While at Grand Valley, she became active in the womens movement and was a supporter of womens rights. Ginny helped establish the secretarys union there and served as its union representative, too. Ginny was also active in the Democratic Party and served as an organizer for many campaigns over the years. With her leisure time, Ginny stayed busy pursuing her various interests. She loved traveling, beginning with her first trip to Europe with Michele when Michele was just eight years old. During her retirement years, her travels took her to Mt. Everest, Kenya, Mexico, Italy, and France among numerous other destinations. Ginny embraced the different cultures and brought home great keepsakes for both her home and as gifts for others. She also loved the arts and made sure her children and grandchildren came to appreciate them as well. Ginny often took her children and grandchildren to museums, art galleries, and the symphony. In fact, she was an unbelievable grandmother who never missed any of her grandchildrens events including sporting events, ballet recitals, music concerts, and camp functions. Ginny was an avid reader and also liked to write short stories, even entering the Winterfest writing contest on one occasion. When her grandchildren went off to college she wrote them long letters every few weeks. In 2007, Ginny again experienced a major change in her life. She sold her house and moved into a condominium in Hunters Woods. Ginny and her cats loved it there and she kept traveling, making several trips to visit her grandchildren. There were so many things that made Virginia Ginny Gordon such an extraordinary woman who was loved by so many. Although she could be opinionated, her heart was as tender as they come. Ginny was a loyal friend who made sure she stayed in touch with those she treasured throughout her life. She was selfless, always looking for ways in which she could put the needs of others ahead of her own. Ginny was truly a remarkable woman whose spirit of love, devotion, and grace will continue to live on in the generations who follow her. She will be dearly missed. Virginia Ginny L. Gordon died on Saturday, April 3, 2010. Ginnys family includes her sons, Richard (Linda) Gordon of Spring Lake, Bruce Gordon of Grand Haven, Peter Gordon of MO; daughters, Judy (Rick) Belkofer of Grand Haven, Michele (Kirk) DeWinter of Hudsonville; grandchildren, Nick Belkofer, Cara Belkofer, Justin Gordon, Gentry DeWinter, Caden DeWinter, brother, Ken (Peggy) Colby of HI; sisters, Judy (Wes) Harpold of Grand Rapids, Pat (Dave) Vaughn of Owasso. A service will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 1:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church with Rev. Robert Kleinheksel officiating. 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