VIRGINIA GOSHDIGIAN

GOSHDIGIAN Virginia Bradford Olds Goshdigian Known as Ginny Gosh to loved ones and friends, died May 20, 2018 at age 76 at her home after a months-long struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born and raised in Washington, DC, and Chevy Chase, Maryland, Ginny graduated from Holton-Arms School in 1959 and from Connecticut College for Women in 1963, where she graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Immediately after graduation she joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Turkey teaching English as a foreign language. She later worked for the National Security Agency for many years as a linguist and as a manager in charge of all language training except Russian. Ginny was predeceased by her cherished husband, Haig Goshdigian, after 40 years of joy-filled marriage. Although they did not have any children of their own they had many children in their lives whom they considered their children. They leave behind two nieces and a nephew: Carol Olds Redden, her three children, Courtney Mangieri, Caitlin Redden, and Chase Redden, and one great-nephew, Wesley Mangieri; Laura Olds Weaver and her two children, Libby and Jay Weaver; and Edson Olds and his two children, Delaney and Brennan Olds. Ginny lived life to the fullest. She cherished her friendships and family - especially her best friend, Beverly Schnetzler, who cared for Ginny at the end of her life, and her "German family" - a deep relationship that dated from 1962, when she was an exchange student in their home. She traveled extensively, mostly in Europe and Turkey. In addition, Ginny and Haig had two houses, the original parts of which were built in the late 1700's. Their primary residence was in Ashton, Maryland, with a retreat at their house in Foster, Rhode Island. Both houses were in terrible condition when purchased and they devoted their efforts to fixing up the houses and the grounds, with large vegetable and herb gardens, their pride and joy. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Joseph Gawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Virginia Goshdigian may be directed to support pancreatic cancer research as directed by Dr. Dung Le at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks can be made payable to Johns Hopkins University indicating the gift's designation, and mailed to: Kimmel Cancer Center, P.O. Box 17029, Baltimore, MD 21297. Gifts can also be made online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel.In">secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Virginia Goshdigian may be directed to support pancreatic cancer research as directed by Dr. Dung Le at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks can be made payable to Johns Hopkins University indicating the gift's designation, and mailed to: Kimmel Cancer Center, P.O. Box 17029, Baltimore, MD 21297. Gifts can also be made online at https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel.