Virginia "Ginger" Elliott

1948 - 2025

Virginia "Ginger" E. Elliott, age 77 of Billings, MT passed away the evening of Thursday, October 30th in St.Ignatius, MT with family by her side.

Ginger was born on Sunday, March, 7th 1948, in Philadelphia, PA. She grew up in an Italian neighborhood, where her father was a lineman and restauranteur. She was the eldest of 7 children to Joseph and Margaret (Trader) Tarantino Marks, stepmom Jean Marks. In Philly, where she and her siblings - Yvonne "Bonnie" Wilson; Geraldine "Gerri" Finnegan; Delores Bergos; Joseph Junior; Peggy; Dominic Marks; and, Mario Tarantino - attended catholic school for both elementary and high school. During this time she was exceptional at track and field and wished to pursue the sport further; however, it never came to be.

After high school, Ginger was eager to start a life for herself including working numerous jobs and starting a family. She was the first woman in the city to work on the back of a sanitation truck, and enjoyed the challenge it presented. In March '67 her first child, Margaret (Conolly) Soria, was born, followed by Joseph Conolly in October '68, Alicia (McDonie) aka Elizabeth Trader in November '69, and Michelle (McDonie) Novak in August '72. It was this time Ginger started caring for the neighborhood via naturopathic medicine and holistic care. She had a knack for it, and continued to help others for decades. Three more daughters would follow; Monique (Bradford) Keltner in March '80, Angalique Bradford in December '81, and Sarah Doria (a granddaughter raised until six years old) in January '89.

In the 80's, Ginger worked for the United States Post Office and Grinnell Steel, also working part-time for a greenhouse. She devoted free time to charitable organizations such as Water Street Rescue Mission, Goodwill, and St. Vincent DePaul. She believed in giving of herself, and she loved the people she met through her aid, many of which became longtime friends. Ginger believed in the Word of God, and with His spiritual guidance, she tried to live by His example. She was not shy about praying or speaking the Word to another. She was filled with His love and gave it freely to all she met. In '94 Ginger decided to move far from the city and relocate to Montana. It was here where she found peace, discovering that God's Country could fill her in a way the city never could. She soon had her family around her and never looked back, living the rest of her life in Montana.

Ginger was a mom to many outside of her family and touched lives on a grand scale. Her hobbies included: talking to anyone, music, dancing, cooking, walking, sewing, swimming, hiking, working on her pickup, fixing things around the house, or simply taking a drive. She loved to share all that she could with her beautiful children and blessed grandchildren. Ginger was incredibly active, playing with grandbabies, teaching Italian cooking, dancing in her heels with music blaring in the living room, teaching us all how to dance along with her. She was up for anything, loved her family to no end, and lived fully.

Every day she made a point to make you feel special, whether it was calling, sending a text in some sort of short hand that few understood, sending a lengthy hand-written letter, a random card with cash folded in origami form, or just showing up at your doorstep with a smile and a "Surprise"! She was known for her kind soul, natural beauty, and being a servant of the Lord, faithful to His Word. Her greatest accomplishments were her children. She loved and adored, wholeheartedly, each one with a depth and breadth that will stand the test of time.

Ginger's life was a perfect example of her soul: a Gypsy spirit that loved life, untamed and unfettered, wild and free on the breeze yet stable and dependable for those she loved, full of fiery passion and adventure yet willing to pause long enough to help those that truly needed it.

Ginger is survived by her seven children: Margaret Soria of HI; Joseph (Suzi) Conolly of NJ; Alicia McDonie aka Elizabeth Trader of MT; Michelle (Phil) Novak of MT; Monique (Burt) Keltner of MT; Angalique Bradford of MT; Sarah Doria of MT. 18 grandchildren: Justin, China, London, and Ruby Soria; Caleb and Jacob Conolly; Benjamin Brady, Aaron, Rebekah, Abigail, and Gabriella Doria; Briana, Jared, Joshua, Celeste, and Jerome Novak; Kael and Isis Keltner. Two great grandchildren: Marissa and Natalie Helms. Siblings: Bonnie, Gerri, Joseph, Dominic, Mario.

Ginger was preceded in death by her father Joseph, mother Margaret, stepmom Jean, sister Delores; her husbands: Joseph McDonie, Harry Nuneviller, Stephen Bradford, Donald Pape, and Robert Elliott.

If anyone so chooses, donations and memorials can be made to the charity of their choice in memory of Ginger Elliott.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 7th 2026, Grace Pavilion 24 S. 29th St. Billings, MT 59101. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Please dress in your brightest clothes for Ginger.