Gina Yvonne Ames

Gina Yvonne Ames (known as "Yvonne") passed away, Monday, June 24, 2024, at home in Oceanside, California, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a very loving wife, mother, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. Born Gina Yvonne Jansingh in Zwolle, The Netherlands, she immigrated to the United States with her parents, Alida and John Jansingh, in 1952. The family resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thereafter, sister Joan Mosher and brother Harry Jansingh were born. Yvonne left home in 1968 and attended Michigan State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1972. She graduated from the Greater St. Louis Police Academy in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she met her future husband, Leland ("Lee") Ames. One of the first two female police officers in the State of Missouri, she served with the Saint Louis County Police Department from 1972 until 1977 when she and her husband left law enforcement to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan to start a family and support Yvonne's mother in the family business. In 1978, their only child, Joe Ames, was born. After the passing of Lee's mother, Catherine Ames, in October 1985, they moved to California in February 1986. In 1991, Yvonne joined Fallbrook Elementary School District as a Campus Supervisor at Potter Junior High School where she touched the lives of thousands of students during her tenure at the District. Yvonne retired in 2005 after 14 years with the District. Starting in 2013, Yvonne and Lee supported their son's winery venture, BK Cellars Urban Winery and Tasting Lounge in Escondido for nearly 10 years. On April 5, 2024, Yvonne and Lee celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary with Joe and his wife, Dania. Yvonne is survived by her husband Leland Ames, son Joe Ames, daughter-in-law Dania Ames, step-granddaughter Dania Manzano, sister Joan Mosher, brother Harry Jansingh, and many relatives of the Ames and Jansingh families.