Virginia "Ginger" Patchen

Virginia “Ginger” Ann Patchen passed away Monday October 21, 2013 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.  She was born in Erie to Clinton and Daisy (Adams) Patchen on August 3, 1944.  Following her 1962 graduation from Fort LeBoeuf High School, Waterford, PA. Ginger studied commercial art at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

In 1969, Ginger entered the Deaconess Community’s “Associate in Diaconal Service” program.  In 1973 Sister Ginger was invested into the Deaconess Community of the Lutheran Church of America and graduated summa cum laude from Montgomery County Community College with an Associate in Applied Science degree in mental health.  She also completed credit hours in theological studies through Muhlenberg College’s extension program. 

In 1976 Sister Ginger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Thiel College, Greenville, PA.   Sister Ginger was consecrated as a deaconess in 1977.  She moved to Winnipeg to become Vice Principal/Teacher in the Fort Richmond (later named Epiphany) Lutheran Church Nursery School.   She served in that ministry until her retirement in 2008. 

Sister Ginger’s gift for encouragement extended to members and candidates of the Deaconess Community.  Informally and formally (through her work with the Committee on Vocation and Education), she helped Sisters and candidates recognize and develop their unique gifts for ministry. 

Sister Ginger was preceded in death by her brother John.  She is survived by her friends Valerie and Neil Sander; her sister Marlene (Gerry) Brenneman of Butler, PA; her sister-in-law Mary Lee Walker Patchen of Elfrida, AZ; nephews Christopher Brenneman, Matthew Brenneman, and Adam (Colleen) Patchen; nieces Marie Patchen and Monica(Brian)Nickles; grandnieces Brianna, Kayla & Emily Nickles and many cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held in Erie at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church on Saturday November 23, 2013 at 11:30 am. 

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0W5, St. Amant Centre, 440 River Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2M 3Z9 or Epiphany Lutheran Church, 200 Dalhousie Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2Z1.