Virginia Dee Black (Ginny), 81, passed away on Friday, April 7 ^th , 2023, in Gig Harbor, Washington after a valiant fight with cancer. Her immediate and extended family, real estate family, as well as many friends brought her much comfort in her last days during their visits. Ginny was born June 3, 1941, in Helena, Montana the first child to John Albert Smith and Dorothea Delia Shults (Knudsen).

Ginny spent her early years in St. Regis, Montana before moving to Gig Harbor. She lived in the same house for 50 years where she raised her family and became a beloved member of the community. She worked several jobs, including as a checker at Safeway, before creating, co-owning, and operating Aqua Spas and Pools from 1978 to 1992. After the business was sold, Ginny obtained her real estate license and spent the last 30 years of her life in a career she loved, providing exceptional care to her clients, many of whom became dear and life-long friends. Ginny loved working for Coldwell Banker and received many awards throughout the years including Sales Achievement, Excellent Customer Service, Top Producer, and Outstanding Performance.

When she wasn't working, Ginny could often be found cheering from the front row at her grandchildren's various sporting events and activities. She was the loudest cheerleader and biggest supporter of her family - our own personal hype man. We know many of you have felt this incredible encouragement! Ginny loved spending time hosting pool parties and barbeques and being with her friends - especially while listening to live jazz music. Ginny had a love for decorating and bringing beauty to places, and she expressed that in the houses she staged and the colorful planter boxes she filled outside her home and office. Ginny especially loved decorating the Coldwell Banker Christmas tree every year. And she could always be seen driving around town with her beloved pups.

Ginny was preceded in death by her father, John Albert Smith, her mother, Dorothea Delia Shults Knudsen, her brother Stephen Galford, and sister Lorene (Lori) McCoy. She is survived by her four children and nine grandchildren: Lisa Black and her children Crystal and Erin; Jason Black (wife Cari) and their children Spencer and Samuel; Jeremy Doyle and his children Autumn, Brenna and Ashley; and Justin Doyle (wife Marla) and their children Gavin and Gage. She is also survived by her siblings Juanita (Nita) Shope, Kenneth (Pete) Galford, Gary Galford, Mary Rudolph, and Emily (Jan) Turbak, and numerous extended family members who were near and dear to her heart.

The family invites friends and loved ones to join them in a Celebration of Ginny's life on Saturday, May 6 ^th , 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Inn at Gig Harbor, 3211 56 ^th St NW, Gig Harbor, Washington.

Nothing was impossible to Ginny. She had a big heart and loved supporting those in need, whether local or somewhere across the globe. She contributed to countless school sales, fundraisers that helped teams travel abroad, was a mentor at Vaughn Elementary School, and supported debate teams, scholarship programs, foreign exchange students and many youth sports teams. Ginny volunteered with and fundraised for Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and Hospice to name a few. There were years where she helped make dresses for little girls in Africa. If Ginny learned of an organization or group you were supporting, she would gladly jump in with both feet to help champion the cause.

It is in this spirit that the family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations please be made in Ginny's name to your favorite charitable organization, allowing her generous legacy to live on.