On Monday, August 18, 2014, at the age of 85, our mother died from complications of a life well lived.
Ginger was the quintessential only child born to Wynema Posey and Thomas Burnett Blaine on June 26, 1929 in Jackson, Tennessee, and the grand child of Alexander Lawrence Posey; Muscogee Creek Poet Laureate of Oklahoma. The family arrived in Phoenix on July 1, 1930, thus debunking mother’s claim of being an Arizona native, and validating her complaint of “being hot ever since”!
Her father’s job as auditor of the State Tax Commission and her mother’s position as secretary of the Soil Conversation Service took them from Phoenix, to Safford, where she said she “learned about Mormons” to Tucson and back to Phoenix. In Tucson she attended Sam Hughes and made her stage debut at the Temple of Music and Art in 1940, finishing grade school in Phoenix at Madison #1. She graduated from North High in 1947, attended Phoenix College as a member of Kappa Delta Nu, spent one year at the U of A, as a Delta Gamma, and graduated from Arizona State College [ASU], with a B of A in Education in 1951. She was thrilled to finish school in Tempe, putting her in closer proximity to the love of her life, the son of a local mortician, A. Lee Moore, Jr.
On June 9, 1951 they were married at Trinity Cathedral, attended by their best friends from throughout their school years. Ginger went from being afraid to pick up the telephone to call a repairman, to chairing the Boards of her favorite Valley charitable organizations. As a member of the Jr. League of Phoenix, she held many positions, starred as “Trixie” in the Follies, and served as chair of the Annual Rummage Sale 3 years in a row! As an advisor to the Delta Gamma Sorority at ASU, she was influential in founding the Foundation for Blind Children; it was on these evenings that Dad made us grilled Spam and cheese sandwiches!
Ginger was a member of The Phoenix Art Museum League, Visiting Nurse Service Auxiliary, Good Sam Hospital Auxiliary, and an over 40 year member and Past Chair and Treasurer of the Barrow Neurological Foundation Women’s Board, Charter Government Selection Committee, Maricopa County Hospital Board, Special Events Committee of the American Cancer Society, Past Chairman and over 40 year member of The Board of Visitors.
When she wasn’t organizing the North High Class of 1947 Reunions, playing tennis at the Marshall’s, herding livestock on 15th Avenue, needle pointing stunning Christmas stockings, getting us ready to attend Friendly Pines Camp, making the best Texas sheet cake, baking a potato casserole, referred to as “those blankety-blank potatoes”, by Doc Jones, Crowder and Al, served almost as often as Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice, waiting for the UPS man to make a delivery to the Giddy Up Ranch, , traveling with Al and Tres to rodeos, and National Selected Mortician conventions, she was my Brownie Troop leader!
Then she took up golf! The WGA became a big part of her days and fostered the “Annual Egg Nog Open.”
She loved to travel with Dad and friends, often in Dad’s plane, which she took lessons to learn to land, in case of the “Big One”, to Mexico and commercially all over the globe. As a couple they enjoyedThe Mountain Club, Iron Springs, Villa Vacanze at Mission Beach, the Giddy Up Ranch, and finally the Pine Top cabin. Together they were members of the Valley Field Riding and Polo Club, Phoenix Country Club, Arizona Club, Los Caballeros Golf Club, White Mountain Country Club and the Paradise Valley Country Club.
We wish to thank the PVCC Staff, who we feel she may have loved more than us, in particular, “Super” Dave Salmon, for the extra attention always lavished on “Yin Yer”. We are grateful for the housekeeping skills of Rita Bundy, the handyman skills of Doug Daniel, Del and Susie for weekly hair and mani appointments, La Siena Senior Retirement Community, the tender care of Ryan House Hospice of the Valley, Paradise Valley Living Center and Mary Jo Beardsley
She is survived by her now, exhausted, daughter Posey and son-in-law, John Nash, her son, who still walks on water, Albert Lee “Tres” Moore III and daughter-in-law Sharon, their daughters and grandchildren, her nieces and nephew on Coronado Island, her Arkansas cousins, and her God children Linda Perry Boeing, Christine Marshall Turner and Matthew Miller.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 29, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ. The following day she will be placed next to our Dad, in a Private Service at the Departure Lounge in the Mausoleum at Paradise Memorial Gardens 9300 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ.
Contributions in her honor to: the Board of Visitors, 6245 N. 24th Parkway, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ. 85016, The Barrow Neurological Foundation Women’s Board, 350 E. Thomas Phoenix, AZ. 85013 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Phoenix, 85014 would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home and Post Scripts by Posey, LLC.
“Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus”
Betsy Baker
To the amazing legacy of Ginger. You are the fruits of a job well done and I can only imagine how joyous the reunion was between her and your Dad. An incredible woman and one who never ever suffered fools lightly. I am so thankful for her influence in my life and the Riding Club will never be the same. Thank you for sharing her. Get some well deserved rest as she has is definitely off on her next grand adventure with your Dad. May light perpetual shine upon them both.
Linda Perry Boeing
To the family of Ginger Moore. If I had to pick a God Mother, I was blessed to have Ginger. I remember her at my Confirmation and through the years she would give me necklaces of the cross and prayer books. Yes, she was a perfect God Mother and friend.
She will be missed but I will always know her as my God Mother. That will stay with me forever.
I will miss her jovial laugh, and many stories.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you all.
Love Linda Perry Boeing
carolyn rainey
Dear Posey and Tres, I just found out about your beautiful mothers passing. I was so lucky to get to know Al and Ginger in total splendor. I enjoyed spending time with both of them in Prescott. I will always remember how kind and absolute hilarious your mom was to me. What a gal she was. She raised the fun quotia to a new level. I am so sorry for your loss. love carolyn
Carolyn diamond
There will never be another Ginger. We cherish many years of memories of ginger and al and will miss her too. Our love and sympathy to posey and tres.. Carolyn and Ralph
Bunny and Allen Hall
Posey and Tres,
A wonderful tribute to a fabulous Phoenician, who
contributed so much to our community! Yin Yer loved
people and knew everything going on in the Valley. She
was always entertaining and a joy to visit with. Please
accept our condolences on your mother’s passing. She
is again “traveling with Dad”.
Bunny and Allen
Mary Ellen McKee
Dear Posey, Tres, and family,
What a wonderful Mother you had and what a great friend we had in Ging!!!! She was a magnificient LADY! There will never be another one like Ging!!!!!! Having her for a friend was a gift she was a gift to all.
She is now with your Dad and happy as a Lark!! Probably singing,
cooking and making sure everybody does what they are supposed to.
God Bless You and thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas, Ginger!!!
Love,
Mary Ellen and Bob McKee
Susan Folk
I’m so sorry to learn that Ginger has left us. She leaves a big hole behind her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan
Peter Kiewit IV
Ginger, you will be missed. Thank you for always being kind to me when ever we would meet, mostly at PVCC with the Pope. As it has been said, you were one Grand Dame with so much Class and spirit, and a great Mother!
Ken Osborn
So sorry to hear of Mrs Moore’s passing.I have great memory’s of her and Mr Moore. She was always fun to be around and her laugh was infectious I’m glad to have known her.
Vandana Andresen
It was an honor and privilege to have known Ginger. When I was a new member at PVCC 8 years ago, Ginger welcomed me to the WGA with open arms. I enjoyed her wonderful sense of humor and warm personality and I will miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. Your tribute to her was lovely!
Marguerite Brown
Posey & Tres-
So sad to hear of your Mom’s passing. I loved her fun ways and good sarcasm .
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
God Bless you at this difficult time.
Marguerite
Claudia Burns
Dear Posey, Scott and I send your family our best wishes for you at this challenging time. We understand all the emotions that go with loosing a parent.
You have helped so many of us deal with these heartfelt times; I pray we can help you in a small way by sending our love.
God Bless! The Burns Family.
Annie Sarvas
Posey and family: To know Ginger was to Love her!!
May she Rest in Peace!!
Nancy Gill
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Ginger. She truly was a ‘Character’ in the best sense of the word. I met her through golf at the PVCC and shared several rounds of golf with her. She often spoke with such fondness of her children and family. My thoughts are with all of you.
In Sympathy, Nancy Gill
Nancy Edmonson Jensen
Dear Posey,
Sincerest condolences on your loss. My mother will dearly miss her longtime friend. We are so happy that we got to visit Ginger in June. It was wonderful meeting you, and we know how much you did to care for your mother. She did indeed live life well! I am still enjoying reading her grandfather’s book. What a fascinating family you have. How nice that they live on in our memories.
Nancy Jensen
Amy Jo and John Gottfurcht
Dear Posey and Family,
We are so,sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. I so enjoyed visiting with her at the Club. She was really a Valley pioneer and we have lost so many. You have been there for us with the passing of L.C., Maggie, and gave us such a gift when you brought Chrissie home (and your Mom actually was a part of that interesting “experience”). I just wish We could be there for you as you have been there for us during this sad time. You, your Family and your Mom are in our thoughts. May we all see each other again on the Other Side. AJ and John
kelly woudenberg
My sincere condolences…your mom was a great piece of work. When I first played golf at PVCC, she went out of her way to make me feel welcome. She was smart, funny and very kind. I am so glad that I had some rounds played with her, she was a little bit like the sun! Kelly
John C. Heitel
Posey and Tres:
I am so sorry to hear about your mom.
I will always remember her great smile and laugh and I always looked forward to running into her and your dad at the many social events that our parents either put on or were attending together.
Take care.
John
Anne Woudenberg
Dear Posey You are certainly not lacking on memories and fun stories.She had a long and colorful life and touched many with her wit and caring—I have fond memories of Pinetop and PV-but as always its hard to lose your Mom -take care of you…!
Kathy and Ed Stock
We were sorry to hear of Ginger’s passing. Ginger will always be remembered by us for her larger than life presence. She enjoyed life and made sure the rest of us did too. What other lady would have gone out of her way to be sure her children’s babysitter (Ed) had an enjoyable wedding shower? As I write this we are thinking back and recalling Christmas and Easter egg hunts at the Voorhees. Ginger, Al, Joe, and Maryann helped show Ed what family life was about. I (Kathy) thank them all:) Having had parents die we can understand the sorrow. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Petey Adams
Posey
I have such fond memories of your Mom!
Golf with Ginger was an Experience! What a
Great lady she was! I will miss her!
Mary and Tom Hudak
The Ginger we knew was ebullient, full of vim and vigor, laughter and loving life. That’s how we will remember her. Take care. Doesn’t matter how familiar you are with the process or how expectant you are of the outcome…it always hurts to lose a loved one. Mary and Tom Hudak
Posey, John and Tres
Memories, memories……. will always be with us.
The fun times we had over the years with Ginger and Al will never be forgotten. She was one of a kind , so full of life and spirit. and always ready to do her part, wherever and what ever she was involved in.
Sending love and sympathy to all.
I am happy we were able to have a little visit with her in June.
YOU, dear Posey, have been a rock for her.
Lovingly, Doris and John
Mary Lou and John Smith
Posey, Tres and Family: Ginger and I have been friends since we were little girls. We called ourselves the “3 B’s”, Ginger Blaine, Betty Bayne and Mary Lou Briscoe. We were gangly, awkward and socially unsure – but we had each other. Our looks did improve but we still needed reassurance since now we were in high school – Betty and I in Tucson and Ginger in Phoenix. Ginger’s family gave me a home away from home. I loved them all dearly. Through the years we kept in touch although our other activities kept us busy. Ginger will always be my very dear and trusted friend. My heart goes out to you all.
Lovingly, Mary Lou
Sandra Barnes
Dear Posey,
The first sentence of your beautiful tribute to your mother sums up very well exactly who she was and how she lived…”our mother died from complications of a life well lived”. Ginger was a warm and wonderful lady, with an unmistakeable laugh, who seemed to embrace life, taking great joy in living it to the fullest. It was such a pleasure for Harley and I to have been acquainted with her. She will be remembered and with love and greatly missed.
with heartfelt sympathy,
Sandra and Harley Barnes
Melody St John
Dear Posey and Tres,
Your mother was a force to be reckoned with. She taught you both how to live well and to laugh. My thoughts are with you. She and your father always welcomed me as family. I will always cherish that.
You are in my thoughts,
Melody
Chuck Ott
I will always remember you Ginger Moore, gods speed lady !!!!!!