Obituary of Virginia Francisco

Virginia "Ginger" Irene Poe was born in Monroe on October 26, 1947. She was the daughter of the late Harry E. Poe and the late Vivian M (Cummings) Poe. She graduated from Jefferson High School. Ginger married the love of her life, James Francisco, on July 28, 1966 at St. Anne Catholic Church, and from their union would come the birth of two sons. James passed away in 1984. In 1980, Ginger became a Registered Nurse after graduating from St. Vincent's School of Nursing in Toledo. She had a love affair with babies and took employment as a neonatal nurse working at several local hospitals before spending fifteen years at Riverside Hospital in Trenton, Michigan. After leaving Riverside she spent several years as a nurse at the Monroe County Jail. Ginger had a lot of energy and was always on the go. She was an avid traveler and had been on several cruises, many road trips, and visited Europe. Ginger loved scrapbooking and crafting, making beautiful wreaths and cards which she enjoyed sharing with those around her. As she became less mobile, she enjoyed surfing the internet, learning about genealogy, and playing games on her I-pad such as Bingo, Casino, and Slots. But what she enjoyed the most was being with her family, sharing laughs, or a challenging game of dominoes or board games. Ginger was especially fond of her grandchildren. Virginia Irene Francisco, age 66, of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2013 surrounded by her family at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor. In addition to her parents and her husband her passing was preceded by a brother: Harry Michael Poe. To cherish her memory, Ginger leaves her children: Jammie (Holly) and Brian (Jennifer) both of Monroe; nephew: Michael (Ann Marie) Poe of Seattle, Washington; half-sister: Nancy Pagani of Pennsylvania; and grandchildren: Logan and McKenzie Francisco. Friends may gather from 1:00-8:00pm, Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185 and from 10:00am until a Celebration of Her Life at 11:00am on Monday, November 11, 2013 also at Merkle's with Reverend George Fountain pastor emeritus of Raisinville Baptist Church. Cremation will follow through Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, and private inurnment will take place at the cemetery at a later date. Online guests may leave word of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.