Virginia Jackson "Gina" Snell, 89, a resident of Summit Square in Waynesboro, Virginia, died on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Summit Square in Waynesboro, Virginia. She was born on February 16, 1923, the daughter of the late William and Pearl Jackson of Marion, Iowa. She graduated from Marion High School and the University of Iowa in 1945. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. Graduation brought her to employment with the Ambro Advertising Agency where she worked until she married Kirk Snell in 1946. They moved to Schenectady where they built a home at West Hill, a Building site of GE Engineers. In 1955, they were transferred to Waynesboro with a group of GE employees to start a new department. In 1955, she started teaching Red Cross Swimming, then was made chairman of this program held at the Waynesboro pool each June for three weeks. From 1964 until 1968 she served as Chairman of the American Red Cross chapter. In 1967, she was on the Board of the Recreation Commission, and the Park Planning Committee. She could also be found serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the BSA council for 5 years. For several years, she taught swimming for the handicapped at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville. Gina also served as a Board member of the Waynesboro Mental Health Association for several years, holding offices of the Community Services Board (Chapter 10), and from 1974 until 1983 she served as President of the State Association from 1980 until 81. She was a Board member of the Blue Ridge Community College in 1967. She hosted the radio talk show, "For Your Information" and was on the staff at station WANV. She was on the publications and funding staff at Fishburne Military School, and the Waynesboro School Board from 1968 until 1973, serving as Chairman for two years. Gina served her community in numerous ways, Valley Vocational Technical School Board, Vice Chairman from 1968 until 1973; Adult Education Committee member from 1974 until 1980; YMCA swim team coach for six years; Founding member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; friends of the Library Board member; AAUW member; Waynesboro Chapter of the Virginia Museum Board; founding member of the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, and Board member for 16 years, and President from 2000 until 2001; Chairman of the Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show from 1998 until 2007; Fall Foliage Festival committee member 1995 until it was disbanded; volunteer at the Rockfish Gap Visitors Center 1988-2006. She was named Waynesboro's Outstanding Woman in 1974. She and her husband were named to the YMCA Hall of Fame in 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Kirk Snell; and two sons, Dr. Thomas E. Snell and Peter J. Snell, architect; and a sister, Shirley Struchen. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to the Shenanodah Valley Art Center, or to the Waynesboro YMCA. McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Family and friends may sign the guest book online at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.
This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.
