Virginia Heim Estabrook

16 de mayo de 1936 - 10 de marzo de 2020

Memorial

Recuerdos

Virginia (Ginny) Heim Estabrook died peacefully at home on March 10, 2020 in Concord, California at the age of 83 after a fierce battle with cancer. Ginny is survived and missed by her husband, Peter Estabrook of Concord, CA; children, Anne Estabrook (son-in-law Dennis Fink, and granddaughters Madeleine and Allison Fink) of Lafayette, CA and Timothy Estabrook (daughter-in-law Lisa Estabrook (nee Sterling) and granddaughters Emilie, Kate, and Megan Estabrook), of Yarmouth,Maine; brothers Bill Heim of St. Charles, MN and Dave Heim of Minneapolis, MN, many beloved nieces and nephews and friends around the world. Ginny was born on May 16, 1936 in Winona, MN to Lloyd A. Heim and Marion O. Heim (nee Uhl). She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1954 and the University of Minnesota in 1958 with a degree in nursing. After stints in Montana and Alaska, she moved to San Francisco and worked as a public health visiting nurse. It was there she met Pete, a marine engineer who graduated from the California Maritime Academy and they married in 1964 beginning their life of adventure together. When their children were 2 years old and newborn, Pete and Ginny set sail aboard the 32-foot ketch Kyuquot, sailing down the west coast of Mexico and Central America to Panama. After 18 months living and working in the canal zone, they continued their voyage through the Caribbean, finally "moving ashore" in Virginia Beach when their daughter started kindergarten. The family moved often, living in Jacksonville, FL, Galveston, TX, and the village of La Couronne, in Provence, France, before finally settling in to their current home in Concord. Her children remember her as a humorous and loving mother who created a warm home wherever the family landed, and an exemplary role model of a working mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals, taught them empathy, tolerance and how to balance life's responsibilities with a bit of fun and adventure. Ginny was a lifelong caretaker, who bestowed her love on anyone who crossed her path. She loved travelling and being outdoors. She was an active volunteer in her church and community and abroad through numerous trips to the South Pacific and other locations through Global Volunteers and Doctors Without Borders. She was a music lover, avid reader and accomplished writer, documenting her life's adventures in two books, Minnesota Memories and Underway. She was a great cook, generous hostess, and very popular party guest. A funeral is scheduled for October 9, 2020 at 11:00 a.m at St. Francis of Assisi Church, at 860 Oak Grove Road, in Concord, CA with a reception to follow at Pete and Ginny's home in Concord, CA. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ginny's life. An interment will be held on June 16, 2020 at St.Aloysius Cemetery in Elba, MN. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hospice East Bay https://www.hospiceeastbay.org/development/donations. The family would like to thank hospice and all the friends and family who contributed to Ginny's care during her illness.

Homenajes

Comparte un recuerdo favorito, envía condolencias y honra la vida de Virginia con un mensaje sincero.

Charles Marin

Ginny was always a dear sweet person. I will always think of Ginny when I hear any Jimmy Buffett tune.... I loved her dearly.

Publicado el 8 de octubre de 2020

Janet Fink

Publicado el 12 de mayo de 2020

Alma Russell

Publicado el 27 de marzo de 2020

Teri Randall

It is still hard to imagine a world without Ginny. She has to be the friendliest and most gracious person that I have ever met. Even though Ginny was the nurse at my high school, she always treated our friendship as one at the same peer level. Pete and Don would commute every day to SF and it was so fun to get to know this vivacious and always uplifting individual. Pete and Ginny would invite us to parties and so many delicious dinners. We spent so many Christmases with the Estabrooks. Ginny communicating by mail and phone while they were in France. Many lunches in SF and a trip to Monterey. Our July yearly trips to the Ormsby House in Carson City to play penny craps at Cactus Jacks. Most recently, having lunch in Placerville and seeing Kris Kristofferson at the Cache Creek Casino. So very many glorious memories that help to fill the gap that Ginny has left in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with Pete, Annie and family, Timmy and family and all family missing her so. Love you guys!

Publicado el 22 de mayo de 2020

Anne Estabrook

Posted on behalf of Susan Kimmel Memories of my dear friend Ginny. I met Ginny when I got a job at Alhambra High School in Martinez, CA. in 1982. She was hired as a school nurse one year before I became a Special Ed. Teacher. Because I was dealing with special kids, I had more contact with Ginny than the "regular" high school teachers. Having Ginny in my life at that time was a gift I never expected and what a gift she was. I would walk down the halls where the nurse's office was located and invariably, I would see a whole cluster of high school kids in her office, with either problems of their own or just wanting to chat with her. She was so approachable, knowledgeable, funny, and most of all, warm and inclusive. Her openness was contagious. She would visit individual classrooms to share with students and teachers alike, the medical, social, or psychological facts the students needed to be aware of in order to cope with their complex teenage issues. These visits became so important at a time when AIDS was at its most virulent. The staff and students became aware of the harm this illness could inflict on young innocent kids and Ginny was at the forefront, protecting them. I like to think of the many lives she saved at that time. An unforgettable memory I have was the day Ginny entered my classroom armed with a banana and a condom, sharing how to use this technique to protect students from contracting this virus with humor and a slight twinkle in her eye while giving the kids this deadly serious message. Aside from being an amazing nurse over her many years in that profession, Ginny was an amazing friend. Not only did students cluster around her, staff members did as well. When she entered a room, all folks called her name, wanting to share their space and time with her…I being one of the more outspoken ones! Many of her friendships with staff outlasted her time at Alhambra. As the retirement years approached, (Ginny first and I followed a few years later), we started to bond even closer. When I needed a safe port, Ginny was there. When I had to share a funny experience, Ginny was there. When I needed a recipe for whatever, Ginny was there. In short, she was always there for me. The memories of us, trips taken, movies seen, food sampled in a variety of restaurants, trips to SF, on an on, memories I will hold so dear. I saw in Ginny her honesty, her spirituality, her sense of humor, her sensitivity, her generosity and her gentle kindness. I am so grateful for all the gifts of self she shared with me. I miss her terribly. Deepest condolences to her beautiful family, sweet husband Peter, wonderful children, Anne and Dennis, Tim and Lisa, and her 5 beautiful granddaughters. Susan

Publicado el 11 de mayo de 2020