VIRGINIA "GINGER" M. NEEDHAM, age 69 went home to her Lord after a short illness. Beloved mother of Andrew Aaron Needham. She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew "Bud" Needham and Loretta (Bauer) Needham. She leaves behind not only her son Andrew, but nine siblings; William "Bill" Needham (Lucy), Cecelia Thomas (Lloyd), Andrew Needham, Patricia Baldwin (Tom), Lawrence Needham (Darlene), Clarence "Jerry" Needham (Chris), Regina Needham, Daniel Needham (Mary), Loretta McCafferty (Jerry).  She will be missed by her 23 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as well.

Born the youngest of 10 children, Ginger, was only five years old when her mother was hired as a Latin teacher at Nazareth Academy.  Thus began a long and endearing relationship between Ginger and the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.  Ginger attended Nazareth Academy where her love and natural talent for music was nurtured and encouraged by the Sisters; she could play guitar, trumpet, saxophone, drums and had the voice of an angel.  It is here that Ginger began a lifelong friendship with Sister Laura Marie Kuhns who eventually became her son's Godmother.  In 1972, Ginger joined her older twin brothers, Larry and Jerry, in a band that traveled throughout the United States, finally landing her in Nashville, Tennessee.  After 13 years down south Ginger was blessed with a son, whom she named Andrew Aaron, after her father Andrew, but also her mother, for Aaron is the street her parents lived on at that time.  When Andrew was a couple years old she made the decision to raise her son closer to family and moved back to Ohio.  While she put Andrew through school at St. Mark's and St. Ed's, Ginger was often found working in offices from Ford Motor Co. to St. Joseph Academy and most recently, and perhaps most fulfillingly, at her parish, Blessed Trinity.  She was so happy to go into work everyday, and genuinely loved getting to help people in her church. Ginger's faith was very strong, even through to the end, and she leaned on God when her health was failing.  We are all familiar with Ginger's undying love for her son Andrew, her love of music, her Faith, and her love of Needham Gardens and beekeeping.  What most will remember about Ginger is her genuine kindness and good heart. She never uttered a negative word about anyone, she always sought to understand rather than judge, she loved everyone unconditionally, and had the patience of a saint.  We will never forget her contagious chuckle and great sense of humor; she was making jokes until the very end. Although she was taken far too early, what Ginger leaves behind is not only our joyous memories of her, but the thought to be a little kinder, a little more patient, and to laugh a little more often.

Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, August 16, Blessed Trinity Church (14040 Puritas Ave.) at 11:00 AM. where friends may call from 10:00 AM. until time of mass at church. Private burial Holy Cross Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family at https://everloved.com/life-of/virginia-needham/