Virginia "Ginger" DeGarmo

Virginia Rose DeGarmo (Ginger) of Coeur d’ Alene Idaho passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at the Renaissance Assisted Living in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho on September 7, 2019.

Ginger was born in Brawley California, where her father worked at the Atomic Energy Site. She spent her teenage years in Livermore, California, graduated from Livermore High School and attended Chabot Junior College in Hayward, California. In 1968, Ginger married Guy DeGarmo in Livermore California and they had two children together, Brandi and Brian.

Ginger and Guy settled in Pleasanton, California where they lived for 25 years. Ginger was active in the Pleasanton-Tulancingo Mexico Sister City program and she was the Director of the Campfire Girls Summer Program. Once her children were both of school age, Ginger returned to work and went on to become a Call Center Manager for AT&T, AAA and Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation.

In 2001, Ginger and Guy relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they built their dream house “Moose Manor.” Ginger and Guy made many new friends in Coeur d’Alene and loved entertaining and hosting their friends, new and old, at Moose Manor. Ginger was right at home in the mountains and took delight in feeding the hummingbirds and watching for wildlife. She always loved fireworks and delighted in the annual 4th of July and Thanksgiving shows in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Ginger enjoyed spending time with her sister Charlene and doting on her four grandnephews. Ginger was a voracious reader, loved doing word puzzles and traveling with her husband Guy and friends, especially to New Zealand.

Ginger was 72 years old when she passed, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ginger is survived by her husband Guy, brother Wayne, daughter Brandi, son Brian and granddaughter Georgia. Ginger was preceded in death by her father, Stanley, mother Barbara and sister Charlene. Ginger will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She enchanted all that knew her with her sweet, sassy nature and warm, engaging smile.

The family wishes to express our sincerest thanks to the staff in the St. Michelle House at the Renaissance Assisted Living in Coeur d’Alene Idaho and Hospice of North Idaho. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Ginger’s name to the Hospice of North Idaho (www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or American Heart Association (www.heart.org). A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.