Virginia, “Ginny” Smith (nee Smith) joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Eternal Life on April 26, 2026 at the age of 94 surrounded by love.  She was born on November 16, 1931 in Chicago, IL to Chuck and Mary Frances Fawcett Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Garvin “Stretch” Smith, sister Judy Toman, and daughter Laura Smith.  

Ginny is survived by her son Dick (Debbie) Smith of Springfield, IL; daughter Sandy Cunningham (John Lockwood) of Colgate, WI; and sons Glen (Becky) Smith of Plymouth, WI and Charlie (Lisa) Smith of Mukwonago, WI. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Jamie (Chris) Popham, Andy (Stacy) Smith, Ryan Cunningham, Adam and Kalani Smith, Delaney, Tyler, and Valerie Smith; and great-grandchildren Maelynn, Kinlee, and Koa Smith, and Harper and Hallie Popham; as well as many cousins and friends.

Ginny graduated from Oak Park High School and then Carroll College where she met Garvin “Stretch.” They were married on July 18, 1953 in Milwaukee and lived in Georgia and Alabama while Garvin served in the U.S. Army.  In 1955 they moved to Wauwatosa where their three oldest kids grew up.  The family relocated to Neenah, WI in 1967 and spent 30 years there.  After the two youngest children started school, Ginny worked as an aide in the Neenah Joint School District.  Also in Neenah, she served as both an elder and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church.  After retiring, Garvin and Ginny moved to Waukesha in the late 1990s. 

Ginny was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha for many years and was a longtime volunteer at the Waukesha Food Pantry.  She spent the last 11 years living at Linden Ridge / Grove in Mukwonago, WI.  Special thanks to the caring staff at Linden Ridge and Grove. We will fondly reminisce about the many famous “Ginnyisms” that she came up with over the years.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ginny’s honor to The Garvin E. and Virginia L. Smith Endowed Scholarship at Carroll University www.carrollu.edu, or The Waukesha Food Pantry www.waukeshafoodpantry.org.