Virginia Lee Stringer

We mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who departed this world on July 23, 2023. Ginger was a beloved daughter, loyal sister and sister in law, cherished wife, devoted mother, treasured grandmother and great grandmother. Ginger was truly a tremendous role model and pillar of strength to her family and friends.

Born in Fresno, California on August 13, 1933 to Jess and Virginia Drath, Ginger graduated from Fresno High School in 1950 where she met her high school sweetheart (and future husband) Dale Stringer. She graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor of Arts, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, in 1954. Ginger worked as an elementary school teacher for 27 years in Fresno Unified, retiring in 1991. She married the love of her life, Dale, on December 10, 1955 and they were happily married for 62 years before his death in 2018.

Ginger's life journey was filled with grace, kindness, and a passion for helping others. Her unwavering commitment to her community and her loving spirit left a lasting impression on all who were impacted by her. Throughout her life, Ginger remained an strong advocate for education, dedicating her time and expertise to empowering young minds. Her dedication to nurturing future generations will continue to resonate in the lives of those she taught.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ginger had a profound love for nature and the arts. She found great pleasure in planting and caring for flowers in her garden, and enjoyed being surrounded by the beauty. She was also an avid puzzler, a voracious reader, and found great pleasure in playing the piano. Among her favorite passions were spending as much time as possible with her large family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to travel, and explored the world with family and friends. She particularly loved the Hawaiian Islands and had just traveled to Maui where she enjoyed quality time with her family.

Fellowshipping with her and Dale’s “Pinochle Group'', and playing card games with family and friends - she enjoyed a good competition. She also loved hosting family and friends for holidays and social gatherings which were always rich in traditions and filled with laughter and love.

A deeply faithful woman, Ginger was baptized (and later married) at the First Baptist Church in Fresno. As a child her parents led an active role at First Baptist and this helped Ginger build a devoted foundation of faith and close, lifelong relationship with God.

Her family was the great joy and passion of her life. She was present for the birth of all nine of her grandchildren. No matter the distance, she made it a priority to be at her kids and grandkids' sports competitions, events, graduations, weddings and both special and regular occasions. She was the “rock” of the Stringer clan and the glue that kept her large family connected.

Preceded in death by her husband, Dale Stringer, her parents Jess and Virginia Drath, and her sister, Dolores Larson.

Ginger’s legacy of love and compassion will forever be carried forward by her extended family. She was survived by - and will be greatly missed by - her four children and their spouses, her nine grandchildren and one great grandchild: Scott Stringer, MD and wife Marilyn, daughter Samantha and son Matthew of Sacramento, CA; Susan (Stringer) Saunders and husband Jerry, daughter Alyssa Davis, husband Carl, and great granddaughter Emma, and son Brandon and wife Brittany of Clovis, CA; Shelly (Stringer) Blair and husband Steve, son Travis and wife Emily, and daughters Taylor and Lauren of Tampa, FL; Stacy (Stringer) Carlson and husband Bart and sons Ty and Jase of Clovis, CA. Ginger was especially excited and looking forward to welcoming her second and third great grandchildren in September. The families memories of her warmth, generosity, selflessness, wisdom and boundless love will provide strength during this time of grief - and beyond.

The immediate family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched and will strive to honor her memory by emulating the goodness she brought into this world.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Boice Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, August 5th at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Stringer family.