Virginia (Ginny) Mae Hinde McDonough (Deane) died at her home in Mountain Rest, SC surrounded by her family on Saturday March 16, 2019. Ginny was born on September 23, 1925 in Toledo Ohio to Robert Emmett Hinde and Bernadine Harriett Nusser Hinde. She graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Math Education.
She married Eugene Lyle McDonough in 1948. They raised their 7 children in Toledo, Ohio, Anderson, Indiana, Parkersburg, West Virginia and Winder, Georgia. She taught middle and high school math, science and physical education.
Ginny had a glowing personality and a love of life and family. Her gift of a yearly vacation to her children and grandchildren created the intergenerational, unbreakable bond that her family shares. One week has grown into two and the clan of 9 has grown into 57.
Members from Maine to China, gather at 4th of July and Christmas to share laughter, make memories and tell stupid jokes. She delighted in nature, collecting rocks and shells that she happily sorted and labelled for her family’s viewing pleasure. Being a lifelong learner and teacher, she loved teaching her grandchildren the sciences behind her collections and once had the delight of showing each and every one of them the frozen remains of the copperhead snake that bit her in her garden.
Gardening was her passion and she filled her yard with flowers, herbs and vegetables that created an artistic masterpiece of God’s creation. Her green thumbs were also responsible for 101 zucchini culinary adventures that her family bravely enjoyed. She loved travel and went on 80+ Elderhostel trips that encompassed birding, hiking, nature photography, kayaking, canoeing, and art.
She met her 2nd husband Doug on one of these trips, immediately winning him over with a cookie and a smile. They married on January 1, 1999, shortly after her 73rd birthday. They moved to Mountain Rest Lake in Mountain Rest, SC in 2001 where they lived and shared their love of God and the beauty of the world he created.
Her glass was never half empty, but always overflowing with her optimism and grace. She remains an inspiration and light to all who had the honor of knowing and loving her. Her strong faith in the Lord was evident by the way she gracefully lived her life, and she leaves a legacy of love, faith, family and hope for all.
She is survived by her husband Douglas W. Deane, her sister Beverly Hinde Sloane, her children, Mary Albright (Rich), Tom McDonough (Tere), Barbie White (Steve), Beth Savage (Allan), Bob McDonough, Patty Wilson (Tommy), Margaret Harrison (Michael), her 24 grandchildren, her 17 great grandchildren, her beloved pup Buddy, her church family and her precious community of friends. Ginny is preceded in death by her first husband, Eugene Lyle McDonough, her sister Patricia Hinde Waters and her granddaughter Veronica Ann White. Funeral and burial services followed by a reception will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 301 West Main Street, Walhalla, SC.
Reverend Dr. Rachel Connelly will officiate. Davenport Funeral Home in West Union, SC is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Chef’s Group 2, a ministry started by Ginny, at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
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