Virginia "Ginny" Cran, passed away on January 22, 2023 at the age of 59. Preceded in death by parents, Dorothy and Robert Salmi; and father-in-law, Donald Cran. Survived by husband of 36 years, Stewart; daughter, Amanda; mother, Nancy; brother, Bob (Stacy); mother-in-law, Marlis; brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces Emily, Anna, Laura, and Aila; nephews Jeremy, Dale, Justin, Owen, Jonah, Ian, and Caleb; and many loving extended family members and close friends.
Ginny grew up on the Iron Range, living in Britt on Sand Lake and then in Grand Rapids on Prairie Lake and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1981. Ginny earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Scholastica.
Ginny and Stewart enjoyed many long road trips, to Colorado several times, Oregon, Arizona, and a circle tour of the country of Finland (in 2016).
Since 2007 Ginny was active in learning about Finnish and Finnish American heritage. All of Ginny’s grandparents were born in Finland. Ginny had a rudimentary knowledge of the Finnish language, played the Kantele (a traditional Finnish instrument), and was a member of The Ladies of Kaleva. She was a member of Kanteleen Soittajat, a group of kantele players that performed at many Finnish American festivals in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Previous to the birth of Amanda, Ginny enjoyed hiking, canoeing, camping, and gardening. Unfortunately, the pregnancy resulted in Ginny acquiring auto-immune disorders that deteriorated her health over the last 25 years but that didn’t stop her from her flower, vegetable, and herb gardening.
Ginny developed preeclampsia during the pregnancy and birth had to be induced at 28 weeks gestation. Amanda was 1 lb. 9 oz. at birth and had brain damage from the trauma of the birth. Ginny, with a degree in Social Work, was well prepared to be an advocate for her daughter’s needs. Ginny’s tireless advocacy for her daughter is the sole reason Amanda is a happy and healthy young lady. Amanda could not have had a better Mother. Ginny’s advocacy helped improve the care that neonatal ICU babies receive, resulted in facilities that care for the ambulatory challenged to install powered doors, and raised thousands of dollars for agencies that help the disabled increase their independence.
Ginny began her Social Work career as a full time Social Worker at Central Care Center in Minneapolis and then at St. Francis Home South in Superior. Ginny was unable to work full time after Amanda was born so she worked part time as an Activity Assistant at Aftenro Home for the past 25 years. It was important to Ginny that the end of life years of the Aftenro residents were as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.
Ginny cherished friendships, always starting new friendships and nurturing long standing friendships.
She read books on many subjects, kept up with the news of the world, and listened to podcasts on gardening, British royals, ghosts, aliens, and bigfoot.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth, MN with a Visitation beginning at 10:00am.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Peace United Church of Christ
Saturday, January 28, 2023
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)
Peace United Church of Christ
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