Virginia Schuitema Hair

Born in Grand Rapids, MI to Donald and Louise Scuitema, Ginny made her grand entrance into the world on January 22, 1942. From the moment she arrived, Ginny was the Apple of her Daddy’s Eye. She had eleven wonderful years with him before he passed away from heart disease. She counted the time that she had with him to be amongst the best in her childhood. Later, Ginny attended La Chatelaine, a boarding school in Switzerland, where she refined her French and grew her love of travel. She graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1960 and then attended Neuchatel University in Switzerland, studying French.

Eventually, Ginny moved to Oklahoma City. It was here, in 1974, that she met her husband, Lester. They married April 30,1975 and the very next day the new couple packed up and began their journey to Tucson, Arizona. Upon their arrival, they dropped off Ginny’s beloved cats and promptly made their way down to Mexico for their honeymoon. It was here that Liza Minnelli made eyes at Lester and Ginny could have been swept away by Burt Reynolds, but fortunately, they only had eyes for each other. This remained a steadfast and unshakable fact for the next 49 years, with their love for one another evident to all who knew them.

Ginny had a saying: “bloom where you’re planted” and bloom she did. She created a beautiful, full, and colorful life. After years of waiting, Ginny finally got what she most wanted: to be a mother. Ginny counted her son, Donald, to be her greatest joy and accomplishment. She was the epitome of a doting mother to Don, and later a doting mother-in-law and grandmother.

Ginny was an active parishioner of St. Alban’s Church. She was also deeply involved in PTAs, the Catalina Foothills High School Band Boosters, and was a generous philanthropist throughout Arizona. She was a massive fan of U of A basketball and never missed a game (if she had anything to say about it). Speaking of blooming, Ginny became well known for her amazing garden. Every year she would happily hand out the tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, oranges, grapefruit and lemons that she nurtured meticulously. She was a bonus mom to many, all of whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed having her house full of the neighborhood kids and was proud to have helped raise many. As wonderful as Ginny was with children, she was an equally wonderful friend. She held many close to her heart and maintained friendships regardless of distance and time. Everywhere that Ginny went, she made an impact. And every person she met, was a life that she touched. She will be missed, loved, and cherished by us all, forever.

In the early hours of June 7th at the tender age of 29 (your math is wrong!) Ginny passed away peacefully with her son Don by her side. She is survived by her husband, Lester, her son, Don, her daughter-in-law, Danielle, and her grandsons, Patrick and Kai.

Ginny will be laid to rest at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, July 6. Services will begin at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in her name to St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Imago Dei Middle School, or to the Catalina Foothills High School Band Boosters.

“Ginny-isms” to live by: NEVER leave good soil behind. A good friend is the most valuable thing you can have. Get a cat. Count your diet by the number of days you lost, not the number of pounds. Family first. Travel, but always get a souvenir from the locals. You cannot overdo or overdecorate for Christmas. Ice Cream fixes everything. Plant something and watch it grow. BEAR DOWN!

Always say “I love you.”