gin·ger /ˈjinjər/ noun 1. A zesty, fragrant spice whose benefits have been proven to provide lasting relief. verb 1.
make someone or something more lively. Our Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend, Ginger Hoellein Johnson, returned home on Friday, May 24, 2019 and in the words of Ginger, “I’m going out with my Boots On and my Boobs Off! ” She joins the many friends who have fought the same courageous battle against cancer.
Vibrant, Inspiring, Beautiful, Witty, Genuine, Creative, Passionate, Kind, Loving, Charismatic, Resilient…are just a few of the words that many have used to describe her Beautiful Soul. Ginger was living proof that “We may stumble, we may fall– but our strength is revealed every time we stand back up and keep moving forward”. She was born to Bill and Dianne (Pingree) Hoellein, the second of eight children and loved the fact that her last name, translated in German to, a little bit of Hell.
Her Pingree heritage created a drive and imagination that was innate. Ginger, aptly named, was never one to stand by and let life happen to her. Every facet of her life was approached first with kindness and gratitude but always ended in absolute intention.
When making a decision, she was committed with her whole heart and she loved the opportunity to take others with her on her journey. She was taught by her parents to work hard and serve others. When Ginger found a cause, she became a complete advocate whether it was befriending someone at school or serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Her greatest accomplishment was her three children. Her only goal was to create experiences for them that taught and reinforced gratitude, hope, kindness, forgiveness and patience. (Ask them to tell you what patience means) After beginning her treatment for breast cancer in 2007, she realized that her perspective of healing and hope was not present at an acceptable level.
Ginger decided to do something about it and started to share songs and kind words with others after finishing a chemo round. She then thought sought donations from the community for the patients, to let them know how much support and love surrounded them. From this experience, Happy Chemo was born.
This opportunity to spread kindness opened doors that took her all over the world. Ginger was featured on a variety of media outlets including NBCNews.com, USA Today, StandUp2Cancer, iHeart Media, Everyday Health, Good Things Utah, Studio5, Clear Channel Communications, Cumulus Radio, KUED, and all major local TV networks. She’s been featured in magazines such as REAL SIMPLE, Amoena Life, Breast Cancer Wellness, Coping with Cancer, Wildfire and more.
Her image and story also circled the globe as she was featured with fellow survivors on the back of the Cheerios box as part of a General Mills and Susan G. Komen initiative, then again as the USA honoree for The Day I Was Told campaign by Amoena USA. One of her favorite things to do was to give the name “I am Awesome” at restaurants or fast food places; anywhere they would call it out loud. She would patiently wait until she heard, “I have an order for I am Awesome?
” She would jump up and say, “YES, YOU ARE! ! ” Being an example two her children fueled her desire to bring Hope and Love to others.
She served many and brought her children along with her, creating lasting impressions that Ben, Brinley & Brooks begin to manifest as they carry on her legacy. She created a way to share the Light of Christ with the world. In her words, “I am living proof that hope is fuel for the soul; and when combined with a focused plan of action, it can work mighty miracles that defy the odds”.
She could find light in the darkest places and help create healing for not only herself but others. She was our teacher, our example, our champion, our cheerleader, our light. She showed grace under pressure even when there was “Hell in the Hallway”.
Most of all she was a Mother. She is survived by three beautiful, resilient children, Benjamin, Brinley and Brooks; her parents, Bill and Dianne (Pingree) Hoellein; her “Jakie,” Jacob Hoellein; and the Sisterhood, Amber (Shawn) Wykstra; Mandee (Matt) Heslop; April (Todd) Ricks; Lindy (Matt) Denny; Aubry (Devin) Bartholomew; Tara Hoellein. Friends may visit with family Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Layton South Stake, 505 S 1000 W, Layton, Utah 84041.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 31, 2019 at a location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Ginger Hoellein Johnson Memorial Fund through either First Community Bank (previously FNB of Layton) or her Ginger Johnson personal Facebook page would be appreciated.
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