VIRGINIA ROSE McCOURT

Virginia (Ginger) Rose McCourt of Wasilla died peacefully May 1 surrounded by family. She was born April 7, 1929 in Silverton, Ore., to Wilbur and Helen Staudinger. She married Jimmie. L. McCourt on Feb. 14, 1948. Virginia grew up in the Missouri Ridge area, a farming community near Molalla, Ore.

She was an accomplished pianist and had a great love for classical music, reading and creative writing, journaling daily, especially about life’s significant events, which are treasured by her family. Her favorite times were those spent surrounded by the family she cherished. She moved to Alaska with husband Jim and sons in April 1963, living first in Whittier, then Anchorage and residing in Wasilla until her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, sister Marlene and brother Charles. Survivors include a brother, Dr. Leonard Staudinger of Malcom, Neb.; son Steve McCourt and his wife Lynn of Georgetown, Texas; son, Brad McCourt and his wife Jane of Wasilla; grandson Stephen McCourt II and wife Sara of Las Cruces, N.M., and their children Iain, Katherine and Lauren; grandson Jason McCourt of Wasilla; granddaughter Alisyn and her husband Isaac Diaz of Austin, Texas and their son David; and granddaughter Morgan and her husband Luc Hegg of Wasilla and a new baby Hegg on the way; many nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends Dawn Houston, P.J. Osborne and her children Joyce and Jacque and Uli Johnson.

Ginger truly loved Alaska and declined several opportunities to move south after her husband’s passing. She enjoyed traveling throughout Alaska and her many journal entries describe these travels in sharp detail. She was also a passionate fan of the Seattle Mariners and baseball in general.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Christ First United Methodist Church of Wasilla, 5137 W. Fairview Loop (corner of Knik-Goose Bay and Fairview Loop).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the local Hospice Foundation of Mat-Su, 1150 South Colony Way, PMB 349, Palmer, AK 99645.