Virginia "Ginny" L Bergen

Ginny Bergen made the journey home to be with the Lord on August 22, 2018, surrounded by family and in the care of HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she was the oldest of four children to Roland D. Paton and Gladys “Jan” Crawford.

Many know Ginny from her years at Fruitvale Elementary where she served as the Principal for 19 years. Prior to that she spent three years as the first Assistant Principal of Thunder Mountain Elementary when she and her family moved to Grand Junction in 1982. Ginny also taught night classes at Mesa State College from 1989-1994. Ginny devoted her life to the education and advocacy of children, with over 33 years of diversified experience in the field. She obtained her Bachelors, Masters, a 6th year educational specialist degree and her Administrative Certification from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was passionate about providing a safe and positive learning environment for her students and faculty, and she believed strongly that every child deserved an adult willing to advocate for them. Ginny and her husband Bob, also an Educator, moved to Montrose, Colorado 12 years ago after retiring.

Family was always Ginny’s first love and what sustained her most. She was an adoring mother to her two children, as well as her six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In 2011, Ginny was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. She became a three-time cancer survivor and artfully juggled her cancer treatments over the past 7.5 years with being an incredibly active and involved grandparent. She delighted in traveling and soaked up every moment that was given to her; even boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach and swimming in the open ocean with wild dolphins on a family trip to Hawaii at the age of 70.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; her younger brother Bobby Paton, and stillborn son. She is survived by her brother Richard L. (Barb) Paton and sister Patricia L. Paton along with numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. She is also survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” Bergen, her son Robert “Rob” Bergen and daughter-in-law Suzanne Bergen, her daughter Jennifer Wright and son-in-law Griffin Wright. She was a very devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren, Brandon (Leah) Bergen, Lauren (Lalo) Torres, Nate Williams, Maggie Williams, and Reese and Hestin Wright. She is also survived by her two great grandchildren, Aizen and Gabriel Torres.

Ginny faced her illness with incredible bravery and became an example to those around her of how to play the best hand possible with the cards you’ve been dealt. Ginny was immensely grateful to the team at Grand Valley Oncology for the gift of more time. Dr. Ruth Higdon, Dr. Diane Melancon, Dr. Michael Appel, and Dr. Joann Virgilio fought tirelessly on her behalf.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 15th at 10:00 am at the Chapel at Canyon View Church in Grand Junction, CO.

In Ginny Bergen’s memory, donations can be made to HopeWest Hospice Care Center.