Virginia "Ginna" Bennett Owens

Virginia (Ginna) Bennett Owens, age 92, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1933, she was the eldest child of Dwight and Almedia Bennett. Ginna spent the first 57 years of her life in Illinois and Iowa before making Seattle her home for the past 35 years.

Ginna was a woman of remarkable strength, compassion, and conviction. As the proud matriarch of a large and loving family, she raised six children as a single mother and took great joy in her eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her love and pride in her family were central to her life.

A lifelong advocate and community organizer, Ginna lent her voice to causes she believed in. Her activism included passionate involvement and fundraising efforts for organizations such as the NAACP, Job Corps, the League of Women Voters, the King County Bar Association, the ACLU, and the resident council at Fred Lind Manor. Whether she was hosting events, leading campaigns, or simply bringing people together, Ginna lived with purpose and commitment. Her energy was infectious, her presence unforgettable, and her impact enduring.

Ginna also had a deep love for the arts—especially theater, literature, and poetry. She read voraciously and was a prolific poet, known for her wise “Crone Pomes.” Her original play, Extraordinary Women, has been performed in community theaters for several decades, offering audiences a powerful glimpse into the lives of women who shaped history.

Ginna is survived by her brother Dwight Bennett and sister-in-law Jacquie Bennett; her sister Linda Lovett and brother-in-law Marcus Lovett.

She leaves behind her beloved children: William Boon, his wife Vilma Boon, and their children Jean-Luc and Maeve Boon; Rebecca Boon; Timothy Ross-Boon, his wife Gina Ross-Boon, and their sons Julien Ross-Boon and Adrian Ross-Boon, along with Julien’s wife Kelly and their children Aiden and Oliver, and Adrian’s wife Caprice and their children Xiamara and Alister; Kimberly Boon and her daughters Alexandra Boon-Dooley and Katie Boon-Dooley; Susan Boon, her partner Bruce Duba, and her daughter Ava Vasquez; and Dina Bennett, her husband James Bennett, and their daughter Grace Stocker.

Her ex-husbands preceded her in death: William Boon (2024) and Powell Owens (1980). She was also preceded in death by dear friends and companions James Stone (1997) and Jack Merner (2022).

Ginna’s life was a testament to resilience, generosity, and the power of family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life for Virginia will be held in Seattle on Sunday, September 14 at the Paramount Theater for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the League of Women Voters, Seattle King County: https://lwvskc.org/content.aspx?page_id=301&club_id=711832