Virginia Pauline Gianolini was born on April 14, 1943 at the old Stanford Hospital in San Francisco, CA to Mr. and Mrs. William Dudley Brinan of San Ardo. She passed away on February 8, 2015. She was one of six siblings. She had four older sisters and a younger brother.

Ginger, or "Butchie" as she was known all her life, was raised on the family ranch in San Ardo. She attended San Ardo Grammar School, where her mother was her teacher in the 5th and 6th grades, King City High School, and Arizona State University at Tempe where she majored in psychology. She returned home to marry Roy Gianolini at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. They were married for 41 years, and together they raised two daughters.

Ginger loved to travel, especially throughout Europe and the United States. Her last trip to Europe was with daughter Jeanie touring France and Italy and visiting relatives in Switzerland. She also spent time traveling the U.S. rodeo circuit with "The Clown Family" – Carla, John, and kids – to watch John's rodeo act and visit places of historical interest.

Ginger had the rare gift of combining an encyclopedic memory with being a captivating conversationalist. She knew every birthday of every friend and loved one. She could start by telling you someone's birth date and soon immerse you in a tale of how that person's family migrated to the Salinas Valley, from where, and how their family had intertwined with other local families over the years.

Ginger volunteered her time with Lifeline, Greenfield 4-H and Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. She also greatly enjoyed being a member of Junior League, Monterey County Cowbells and Hoe and Show Garden Club.

Ginger is survived by her daughters Carla Harrison (John) and Jeanie Grainger (Justin), granddaughter Addy Harrison, and grandson Cazwell Harrison. She is also survived by her sisters Martha "Marty" Schwabacher, Edith "Edie" Capps, Shirley Ethridge, and Ruth Ann Morgan.

She is preceded in death by her nephew Rusty Capps, her brother William "Billy" Brinan, her husband Roy Gianolini, and her granddaughter Billie Harrison.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Private family graveside services were held on Friday, February 13, 2015. Ginger was laid to rest next to her husband Roy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the San Ardo Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 311, San Ardo, CA 93450 or San Ardo Cemetery District, P.O. Box 82, San Ardo, CA 92450.