Virginia Ebeling

Virginia “Ginna” Allen Ebeling loved well and loved dearly. Please be comforted, as we are, that Ginna no longer has
pain, in her body or soul. She will be missed and remembered always. She was grateful and thankful until the end.
Born the youngest of three girls to Dorothy Abrams and Howard “Shocky” Allen in Youngstown, Ohio i n 1936, she
was the youngest of the “Donna Carol Ginna” trio. The family moved between Ohio and West Virginia, raising their
girls to value simplicity, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Howard, a truck driver, treasured his
daughters and wife. This love endured and Ginna remained close with her parents, sisters, nieces and nephews
throughout her lifetime. So much love surrounded her, and she always felt it.
As a young woman she attended Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio before enrolling in Reid Memorial Nursing
School, in Richmond, Indiana. There she began her 45 year-long career as a Registered Nurse. She listened to Elvis
with her college friends and studied hard to maintain her scholarship. She kept in touch with many friends from both
schools over the years, attending reunions and other get-togethers as often as possible.
Ginna was introduced to Carl Lilliequist while i n nursing school, the couple married i n 1956. Passionate about their
careers the newlyweds lived in many places while pursuing degrees. Madison, Seattle, Greeley and Sunspot, New
Mexico were some of the communities they explored. Eventually they settled in Boulder, Colorado to begin a family.
Ginna took several years off of nursing for focusing on her children Maria (Fenerty) and Eric. She was a kind, patient
and deeply loving mother. She l oved to swim, read aloud, camp, road trip, explore the San Juans, listen to music,
sing, play piano, ski and ride bikes with her children. Carl frequently traveled for work, providing Ginna the space to
develop a singular bond with both her children. The Boulder Unitarian Universalist Church became an extended
family, where many deep friendships began and endured. When her children were teenagers the family relocated to
Santa Fe. Here she resumed her career passion. A committed and caring nurse she will be remembered in the
medical communities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Ginna focused lots of energy on her patients, kept continuing her
education, and still had time for her family. She worked hard and l oved hard. Ginna, taught and took care of so many
people over the years.
Ginna embodied the sentiment that “there i s always room for more.” More love to share with her friends and family.
More space at the table to share a meal. More time to listen to a problem or a success. More room in her arms for a
warm, genuine hug. She loved gardens everywhere, and always found solace with flowers and a little earth on her
hands. Flowers brought a smile to her face and still brightened her somewhat smaller world as she arrived at a time
in life when she could no longer be an active part of growing them.
It is no wonder she had enough love to create more family. In the pre-dawn autumn hours of a Santa Fe Balloon
Fiesta Ginna met the love of her life, James “Jim” Ebeling. He was crazy about her from the moment he first touched
her hand. She took only a little more convincing. His devotion paid off and they married joyfully in December 1984.
Her family thanks the hot air balloons for bringing them together! Ginna became mother to David and Jillian through
this union, showering them with kindness, patience, and deep love. From the day she met them they were hers.
The family grew as the couple celebrated. Their honeymoon lasted all thirty-five years of their marriage. In this time
Ginna gained another daughter Jill (Jillian), and a son Brian (Maria). They were clearly l oved and an integral part of
her heart. Jim and Ginna also collected daughters, musicians, and friends across the country and the world. As Ginna
headed into her later life she finally had the large family, she may have always wanted. Ginna became “Little Mama ' '
as a grandmother and great grandmother. There was always room for more in her heart. Cal, Anna and Tess, shared
many good times and will have stories to carry for their lifetimes. Jonathan (Jenn), Jen (Brady), and Jessica were
warmed by her smiles and love too. Her youngest grandson Andrew and all the littlest family members: Liam, Ella,
Reese & Quinn were the newest loves in her heart.
She said “her arms were always around us” which is always a great comfort especially now in the midst of this grief.
The Sjogren’s Foundation is one opportunity to honor Ginna with a donation to help improve research on her
debilitating condition. There is also a memorial page that is available for posting memories, photographs and other
tributes to mom’s life. Please contact her daughter, Maria Fenerty with any questions, to connect and share stories
and for information about memorial celebration plans that will occur sometime in the near future