Virginia "Gina" Dell King

Virginia (Gina) King was born in Vincennes, Indiana, April 21, 1945, to William P. and Virginia Dell Pace. After a courageous two-year long battle with cancer she died September 29, 2017. Her husband of 44 years Justin P. King, and her son Camden, daughter-in-law Ahja, and granddaughters Savannah, Carly and Isabelle of Redmond, Oregon, Survive her. Her sister Billy Pace of Olympia, Washington also survives her as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and her puppy love, Lilly Mae. Her sister Marie preceded her in death. Gina touched many people during her life. Family, friends, and acquaintances will miss the vibrant, amiably feisty, and pugnacious lover of life that she was. Gina had a long and impressive career in politics and state government. She first served as chief of staff to a Washington state senator and then took the same job with the chair of the Washington Republican Party. Gina married Justin on her birthday in 1973, and they moved to Oregon where she took a position as the chief of staff to the executive director of the Oregon Republican Party. After a stint at Merrill Lynch, she became the appointment secretary of Oregon Governor Victor Atiyeh. When they moved to Nebraska in 1979, she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, while working as the assistant to the chief of staff of the Nebraska Governor’s Commission on Government Reorganization. She then became chief of staff to the Nebraska Education Commissioner. After moving to Michigan in 1987, Gina focused her zest for life on volunteering for many Lansing area activities. These included working with the Lansing Opera Society, the Unitarian Universalist Church, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, county politics and ironically, driving cancer patients to and from their appointments. Most important to her though was her docent work at the Potter Park Zoo. Gina loved the arts, Wharton Center events, Michigan State University sports, Nebraska Cornhusker football, Spag’s food, U-Club friends, drag races, crossword puzzles, good books and a vodka martini or glass of red wine. She also loved to travel. She and Justin did a number of cruises, made many trips to Oregon/Washington to spend time with family and friends and annually went to their Cayman Island time-share. The highlight of her travels was a safari to Tanzania. Above all Gina loved animals. While serving as a docent at the Potter Park Zoo she particularly loved the rhinoceros she learned to pet. Contributions in her memory may be made in her name to the Rhino Exhibit at the Potter Park Zoological Society, 1301 South Pennsylvania, Lansing, MI 48912. A memorial service for Gina will be held on November 17, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at the University Club, 3435 Forest Rd., Lansing, MI 48910. All who knew her are welcome. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. Share memories at www.greastlansing.com