Virginia "Ginny" Harkins

May 24, 1944 – June 24, 2026

Virginia “Ginny” Harkins (Hansen) passed peacefully with family by her side on June 24, 2026, at the Jupiter (FL) Medical Center.

Born on May 24, 1944, in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, where she grew up and lived her formative years. Ginny attended Fort Hamilton High School, where fate seemed to already have a plan. In a coincidence that felt written in the stars, her senior yearbook photo was directly next to that of the love of her life, John Harkins — as if the world already knew what was coming. Ginny and John met a week after graduation, and what followed was one of the most devoted and enduring marriages imaginable: 61 years of unwavering partnership, laughter, and love. In 1968, they moved to Staten Island to raise their family, joining a close-knit community, and built a home that would become the warm center of everything.

Everyone who met Ginny knew that she prioritized love first and foremost. Her devotion to her husband, John, and her family inspired us all. She was especially close to her mother, Edna Hansen. After her mother passed after a long battle with cancer, and while still raising her four children, Ginny was inspired to return to school to pursue a degree in nursing. Upon graduating from the College of Staten Island as a Registered Nurse, Ginny served in various nursing capacities. However, her most rewarding experience was to serve her calling as an oncology nurse at the Nalitt Cancer Center at Staten Island University Hospital. Those who knew Ginny said she brought the same warmth to a patient’s bedside that she brought to her own family — making people feel seen, held, and never alone in their most trying times.

Ginny was a devout Catholic and cherished her relationship with God and the Blessed Mother. Family was everything to Ginny. Some of her most beloved memories were spending time with family in Jupiter FL, at the famous Hansen Christmas parties, Thanksgivings in Rockaway Beach, and at the epic Ennis St. Patrick’s Day parties. Ginny especially cherished all of life’s little moments while visiting her children’s homes, where many special memories with her children and grandchildren were formed. Ginny was also proud of her Norwegian heritage, sharing recipes such as krumkake, Norwegian pancakes and meatballs, and encouraging her extended family to embrace all its traditions. Uff Da!

Ginny was predeceased by her parents, Edna and Charles Hansen, and her siblings Elaine and Danny. Ginny is survived by her husband, John, of 61 years, her four children and their spouses: Kelly (Raf) Squitieri, John (Jackie), Darren (Kaylene), Bryan (Melissa). Ginny also had 13 grandchildren (Michael [Nina], Katherine [Gabe], Lauren, Jack, JP, Patricia, Chris, Luke, Kyle, Colin, Lauren, Sloane, and CJ), and 2 great-grandchildren (Riya, Violet). She will also be missed by countless others in her extended network of family and friends.

Ginny lived exactly as she believed — that love, given freely and completely, is the only legacy worth leaving.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Autism Science Foundation.

www.autismsciencefoundation.org