OBITUARY
Virginia Ginnie Grotjan Senefeld
June 13, 1923 – July 14, 2014
SENEFELD Virginia Ruth (nee Grotjan) , beloved wife of the late Alfred (Bud) Senefeld. Loving mother of Cindy (Claire Gomersall), Pam (Russ Naber), and Michele (Rick Heyob). Ginnie is also survived by 5 loving grandchildren, Allyson, Jessie (Kyle Walters), Rachel, Ben and Tori, many nieces, nephews, godchildren and dear friends. Dear sister of Ralph (Betty), and the late Clifford (Tip), Clarence (Tierney) and Robert (Boots). Passed away peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2014, at age 91 surrounded by family. Friends may call between 4-7 P.M. Friday, July 18th, at Schmidt-Dhonau-Kucner Funeral Home, 8633 Reading Road, Reading. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 19th, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 177 Siebenthaler Ave, Reading, OH 45215. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.schmidtdhonaukucner.com.
Services
- Visitation Friday, July 18, 2014
- Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, July 19, 2014
REMEMBERING
Virginia Ginnie Grotjan Senefeld
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RECEIVE UPDATESCindy Senefeld
December 4, 2014
Mom/Ginnie Senefeld Eulogy
At first I thought I would give a chronology of my Mom's life for her eulogy, but I soon realized that would take until Mass tomorrow morning [pause, look up, smile, take a deep breath]. Instead, I decided to get right to the essence of our Mom, Ginnie.
In my youth, I always thought our family was normal, but I realized in adulthood that our family is actually extraordinary. The love, acceptance, and closeness we've shared is amazing, admired by many. And that is a tribute to both of our parents, Ginnie and Bud, but especially our Mom because we got twice as much of her.
Our Mom was one of the sweetest, kindest, most tolerant, and genuine people I've ever known. She absolutely LOVED being a mom and truly excelled at it. She was a great combination -- soft but strong (like Charmin) [pause, look up and smile], encouraging but with clear boundaries, supportive, accepting, wise, and fun. Our Mom was not just OUR Mom. She has been like a mom to so many people, including our friends, cousins, and neighbors, especially those who have lost their mom. Her next door neighbor Barb Litvak calls Mom her “other mother.” Some of my friends call her their “Cincy mom.” And my Mom loved more than just her own 5 grandchildren. She was a grandma to their friends as well. The grandchildren's friends call our Mom Mimi just like they do, and they love her and she loves them.
Our Mom was a great mom, grandma, godmother to many, and also a great friend. She made friends quickly, as evidenced by the deep friendships she has at Cottingham after living there just over a year. And she keeps friends. She met her friend Ginny Willing in grade school at St. Leo's in Fairmount. As Ginny told me yesterday, “not many people are lucky enough to have a friend for more than 80 years.” She was best friends with our neighbor Geri Ashbrock for 60 years, and chose Cottingham because the Ashbrocks lived there. Mom was a great listener, intuitive, compassionate, genuinely interested in people, caring and patient. The truth is, even if she weren't my Mom, I would go out of my way to be friends with her.
Our Mom was also a survivor. She survived the loss of her mother Gertie to breast cancer when she was 6. She survived the loss of her father Charlie to depression when she was 30. She survived the loss of her beloved husband Bud when they were both 49. She was a 17 year breast cancer survivor. She survived heart bypass surgery in 1985 and made a big change to her health through cardiac rehab. She survived uterine cancer diagnosed just last fall; her most recent checkups showed no sign of cancer. Our Mom was so strong, so determined to be at Pam's daughter Jessie's wedding to Kyle on May 17. As her friend Anne Todd said this week “she made it -- that was her most fervent desire to be at her granddaughter's wedding, and she made it.”
Mom was lucid until the last minute before her final heart attack. On Monday, Shelly was with her all day and going to spend the night. In the afternoon, Mom saw her cardiologist, Dr. Donald Wayne, who she calls her boyfriend. [smile] For lunch, she had a grilled cheese sandwich which she ate with gusto. I came in the afternoon and we watched two of her favorite shows, Steve Harvey and Ellen. Ellen had our favorites, Sophia Grace and Rosie, two little English girls, who sang a Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song. After dinner, Pam's eldest Ally came by to show Mom her engagement ring and tell her the full story of how Bill proposed in Central Park in NY over the weekend. My niece Rachel, Ally, Shelly and Mom watched The Bachelorette together, a family tradition, and had a good time full of laughter, togetherness and pop culture which she loved. After the show, Rachel left, and shortly after that Mom seized. She died in Shelly and Ally's arms while Ally sang her Amazing Grace. How appropriate... because Ginnie Senefeld was both amazing and full of grace.
Jenny Jacobs
August 3, 2014
I am sorry I was unable to attend your mom's funeral-she was such a good friend of my mom's and it was always so nice to see her at OLSH. I have very fond memories of her which I will keep for always! Wishing all of you peace!
Love
Jenny Jacobs(McConnell) and family
July 31, 2014
Cindy and family,
I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with your mom. We had a lot of fun and laughs. Loved our lunches together. She was a wonderful person who meant a lot to me. I will miss seeing her, but really glad I had that time with her. It was very special.
Love to all,
Ginny Hundley
Janet Murray
July 21, 2014
I really enjoyed playing cards with your mom. I can see where you got your charm and personality. I know how much she'll be missed.
Shelly Heyob
July 20, 2014
Love you mom!
Donna Bain
July 19, 2014
Dear Shelly, Rick, Ben and Tori, We were sorry to learn of the passing of your mother and grandmother. May God help you in the difficult days and months ahead. May she rest in peace. Love, Donna, and Dan Bain
Leah Hondorf
July 19, 2014
Pam, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such a sweet lady & I always loved when she'd come to UMW functions! My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Sue Gibson
July 18, 2014
Cindy and family- I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was much loved and as a family you were always there for her. I will be out of town this weekend; but will be thinking of you during this difficult time.
Sue Gibson
Kevin, Bernadette, Drew and Jillian Schnaudigel
July 18, 2014
Our family has beautiful memories of "Mimi Ginnie" and she will be missed.
Steve & Katherine Stewart
July 18, 2014
Ginnie was always a bright spot in any day I was lucky enough to see her.
Peace to you and your family
July 18, 2014
Trust in God with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)
Jim and Sue Becker
July 17, 2014
Ginnie was a very special lady and I know she will be deeply missed by all of our relatives. Cindy, Pam and Shelly . . . Jim and I have you and all of your families in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you all strength during this sorrowful time.
Frame family
July 17, 2014
Pam, Shelly, I always enjoyed your Mom's smiling presence at any event. She was eternally gracious and I looked forward to seeing her and chatting with her. Our prayers are with you and your entire family.
The Glausers
July 17, 2014
So sorry to hear about your loss. Ginnie was quite beloved by the entire Muirwoods family. She looked after all of us, and will be sorely missed.
DeMaio Family
July 17, 2014
Much love to your entire family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Leslie Alexandria
July 17, 2014
Cindy, Pam, Shelly: Your mom is a big presence in the lives of many. She will never be forgotten and I treasure the times I had with her. Lot of love and hugs to all three of you. Leslie
Mary Lou Evans
July 17, 2014
Pam - we are thinking of you. Prayers for your family as you go through this time.Your mom was wonderful!! I am so sorry I will be out of town.
July 17, 2014
Cindy and family, I am so very sorry for your loss, May Virginia be in the hands of God now, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time. Sending Love and Light your way.
Camille Nuckols-Dubas and Family.
Dawson Family
July 16, 2014
Pam and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She was one special lady and was loved by so many, she will be missed. May you find comfort in your faith, family and friends in the days ahead. Let us know if we can help in any way.
Janet & Jim Kelley
July 16, 2014
Pam, so sorry to hear this news. Your mom was a true lady. She was always fun to visit with when she accompanied you to UMW functions. Please accept our sincere sympathy. As Always, Love, Janet & Jim Kelley
FROM THE FAMILY
beautiful smile, beautiful style, beautiful person
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie's baptism on September 9, 1923, with her mother, Gertrude Raterman Grotjan on Barton Street
FROM THE FAMILY
Michele's baptism in spring 1960
FROM THE FAMILY
Ralph and Ginnie on Denham Street in the West End
FROM THE FAMILY
with her brothers - Clarence, Ralph, Boots, and Tip - at Frankie Sturwold's camp on the Great Miami River
FROM THE FAMILY
her two mothers - Gertrude "Gertie" and Petronella "Nellie"
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie and Ralph, her younger brother, in their teens
FROM THE FAMILY
First Communion at St.Leo's in Fairmount in 1932 at age 9
FROM THE FAMILY
First Communion party at Aunt Nellie & Uncle Harry's house at 2928 Beekman Street
FROM THE FAMILY
with Grandma Nellie in January, 1984, when Nellie was 90
FROM THE FAMILY
8th grade graduation in 1938
FROM THE FAMILY
Western Hills High, class of 1941
FROM THE FAMILY
with Betty Mangoet Clancy at a picnic at Lauterbach's Grove in South Fairmount
FROM THE FAMILY
with Ginny Willing, her best friend from grade school at St. Leo's
FROM THE FAMILY
with Geri Ashbrock and Theresa Richards at Cottingham in 2013
FROM THE FAMILY
a come hither look, at a party in the '70's
FROM THE FAMILY
at Ginnie's 85th birthday party, with her friend from Cardiac Rehab, Mabel Olvey
FROM THE FAMILY
Pam's baptism in spring 1955
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie and Bud's wedding at St. Aloysius Church on October 4, 1945
FROM THE FAMILY
Harry & Nellie Kemper, Ginnie & Bud, Gertie & John Senefeld
FROM THE FAMILY
Mom with her girls, Shelly, Cindy and Pam - Thanksgiving 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
making faces, a family tradition, with her grandchildren
FROM THE FAMILY
with all her grandchildren at her 90th birthday party on June 9, 2013
FROM THE FAMILY
Easter with Jessie and Ally - Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Mimi !!!
FROM THE FAMILY
Easter Sunday
FROM THE FAMILY
making Nellie Christmas cookies at the Heyobs, an annual tradition
FROM THE FAMILY
with Ben
FROM THE FAMILY
waitressing with her brother Clarence, who is tending bar, at Reuter's in Mt. Airy in 1943
FROM THE FAMILY
Happy birthday 2011 !!!
FROM THE FAMILY
her last Christmas Eve (2013)
FROM THE FAMILY
scrapbooking with Jessie and Tori
FROM THE FAMILY
with Bud at the Eden Park Overlook
FROM THE FAMILY
Rose Fein, Ruth & Marvin Preston, Ginnie, Eileen Fein, on the Song of Norway, Royal Caribbean in June, 1985
FROM THE FAMILY
Shelly and Rick's wedding on August 19, 1989
FROM THE FAMILY
with her daughters at Pam's wedding on May 10, 1980
FROM THE FAMILY
in front of Buckingham Palace, London, in September, 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
on top of a double decker bus in London at Trafalgar Square September, 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
being goofy at Kew Gardens with Cindy
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie as "Chicken" from Survivor and Rachel as a Black Eyed Pea at the Tacky Halloween Party 2007
FROM THE FAMILY
Cindy as Anna Nicole Smith and Ginnie as her baby at the Tacky Halloween Party in 2006
FROM THE FAMILY
with Cindy & Claire in Hawaii in March, 1999
FROM THE FAMILY
with Shelly in Seattle at Cindy & Claire's in July, 2012
FROM THE FAMILY
on the beach at Hilton Head
FROM THE FAMILY
making faces on Easter Sunday 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
the whole family - Thanksgiving, 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
Jessie and Kyle's wedding on May 15, 2014
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie and Ralph on August 11, 2007
FROM THE FAMILY
at a banquet with Nick Clooney
FROM THE FAMILY
relaxing at 1239 Carol Ann Lane in Reading
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie and Bud, so in love
FROM THE FAMILY
looking good at 90 !!!
FROM THE FAMILY
with Ally
FROM THE FAMILY
with Rachel and a new walker
FROM THE FAMILY
Christmas with the grandchildren
FROM THE FAMILY
New Year's Eve at Lefty's
FROM THE FAMILY
with Nellie and Boots at Lefty's on New Year's Eve
FROM THE FAMILY
at Tall Stacks in October, 2006
FROM THE FAMILY
contemplating at The Heart in Walton-on-Thames, England, in 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
bathing beauty - 3938 Roswell Avenue in Cheviot
FROM THE FAMILY
Easter Sunday 2001
FROM THE FAMILY
with Nellie (age 95), Ally and Jessie at St. Teresa's
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie's 90th birthday party
FROM THE FAMILY
sweet in Bud's Army jacket
FROM THE FAMILY
at the Ballard Locks and salmon ladder in Seattle with Claire and Cindy in July, 2012
FROM THE FAMILY
with Jessie, the beautiful bride and doctor
FROM THE FAMILY
so happy to be at Jessie and Kyle's wedding
FROM THE FAMILY
fashion plate in Nellie and Harry's backyard
FROM THE FAMILY
with Helen Grothjan
FROM THE FAMILY
with Joyce Grothjan Molloy, her junior bridesmaid, in Florida in January, 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
godparents to Kathy Molloy in summer 1971
FROM THE FAMILY
under the mistletoe with the love of her life
FROM THE FAMILY
Ask me about my Grandkids
FROM THE FAMILY
Christmas with her grandchildren
FROM THE FAMILY
Happy Birthday 2007 !!!
FROM THE FAMILY
with Tori, who is "awesome"
FROM THE FAMILY
at Coney Island pool on P&G day with Rosie, Ron, Sandy Fein and Cindy
FROM THE FAMILY
holding Tori, with Ally (1996)
FROM THE FAMILY
Christmas Eve 2012
FROM THE FAMILY
Pam and Russ's wedding on May 10, 1980
FROM THE FAMILY
Rachel with her Mimi
FROM THE FAMILY
with Dan Hurley at Union Terminal talking 1937 flood memories for Channel 12 special
FROM THE FAMILY
Ally's graduation from Ohio State in 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
Ginnie and Bud, with Cindy and Pam
FROM THE FAMILY
with Nellie and Cindy at Cindy & Roger's wedding on September 25, 1986
FROM THE FAMILY
Cindy and Claire's wedding in Seattle on October 25, 2013
FROM THE FAMILY
when Bud was home on furlough
FROM THE FAMILY
holding baby Ben, her one and only grandson, in February, 1993
FROM THE FAMILY
Ben's graduation from LaSalle High School in 2012
FROM THE FAMILY
Pam's graduation from Mt. Notre Dame in 1973
FROM THE FAMILY
her paternal grandmother, Mary Budde Grothjan, who raised her
FROM THE FAMILY
Mimi with her grandchildren - Thanksgiving, 2008
FROM THE FAMILY
Happy Birthday 2006 !!! with Tori
FROM THE FAMILY
with Ginny Hundley, Christmas 2012
FROM THE FAMILY
with Barb, Steven, and Larry Litvak at her 85th birthday party
FROM THE FAMILY
with all five of her grandchildren, Christmas 1996
FROM THE FAMILY
Thanksgiving with her girls
FROM THE FAMILY
finding out she's going to be a grandmother !!! (1985) with Nellie who's going to be a great-grandmother
FROM THE FAMILY
summer 1994, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
FROM THE FAMILY
at the Grotjan/Grothjan reunion
FROM THE FAMILY
with Rick and Shelly at Shelly's 40th birthday party in 2000
FROM THE FAMILY
with Steve Grotjan at Tommie & Micah's wedding on May 25, 2014
IN THE CARE OF