• Ginni Reeves

Ginni (Virginia) Reeves died at Vermont Respite House in Burlington, VT after defying cancer for 7 years. She was 73.

Ginni grew up in Blue Bell, PA, graduated from Westtown in 1960, and earned her Occupational Therapy degree from Tufts in 1965. She enjoyed a 40 year career as an OT making contributions to her field and helping to shape new rehabilitation programs in Burlington, VT and Lebanon, NH.

After receiving a rare cancer diagnosis in 2007, and being told she had 6 months to live, Ginni set about educating herself and her care team on the best treatments. The result was 7 additional years with which she watched 4 grandchildren grow from infancy, and took time to enjoy sewing, quilting, cooking and travel with friends.

Ginni was an outstanding mother of two sons. She had a deep love for her boys. Although she claimed to embrace a “benign neglect” model of parenting, she was a loving and stabilizing force in their lives.

A private ceremony was held shortly before her passing in Burlington, VT, where friends and family met to share anecdotes, memories, photographs and good food. Ginni’s friends recalled her smile, generosity, incredible kindness, wry sense of humor, and bountiful love.

When it was suggested a month ago that Ginni was like a cat with nine lives, niece Lila Reeves-Hampton suggested hopefully that perhaps, unlike the traditional cat, she might have a 10th life. But while the 10th was not to be, Ginni’s nine lives were lived to the fullest, and she planted a great deal of love wherever she went.

Ginni is survived by her two sons, David and Jacob Grass, and grandsons Will, Frankie, Vlad and Yuri. Also sister Barbara Reeves of Sheffield, MA, and brother Bruce Reeves of Walnut Creek, CA, and their families. Per Ginni's wishes, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Vermont Respite House (www.vnacares.org).