While born in Texas, Ginette’s early life saw her spend part of her youth in California, where she began her love of dance by taking ballet and tap classes. She later moved back to Texas and attended Highlands High School in San Antonio where she became involved with the marching band as their archivist. She later played an instrumental role in creating a music scholarship in honor of the former band director. She passed on her love of music to her children and grandchildren.
She married shortly out of high school and within a few years found herself a single mother with two young boys. During this time, Ginette worked in a variety of places, but some of her favorites were the Astronomy Department at the University of Texas, where she loved working with the faculty and students and befriended Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jim’s Diner, a local hangout for famous musicians and celebrities, and teaching disco and country music dancing. She eventually ended up in Maryland, working in Washington, DC. She loved working in Washington, DC, and only left to come back to Texas to be closer to her family.
Ginette was a strong individual and fought to live her life to the fullest. When diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she was determined to extend her life beyond what the doctors’ original diagnosis suggested ― and she was successful. She was able to live long enough to fulfill her dream of traveling, including seeing Paris and taking a cruise along the Danube River. Her final days were spent having Thanksgiving with her family and then sailing in the Bahamas with her brother where she was able to fulfill her final wish of being able to sleep under the stars.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Donita Coleen Hillert (née Vanaman), father Wendell Warner Wiggins, and sister Darlene Boisvert (née Wiggins).
She is survived by her husband, Thomas VandenOever; brother, Kyle Hillert; children: Jason Finegan, Joel Finegan, and Ciara VandenOever; and grandchildren: Virginia Finegan, Matthew Finegan, and Alice VandenOever. Ginette was known and loved by many and had an extensive list of extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.
A casual Celebration of Life Memorial open to all friends and family will be held at 2:00 pm on December 16 at The Hilton Garden Inn in Denton, Texas.
In lieu of flowers or cards, Ginette specifically requested that contributions be made to the charity of your choice.
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