Ginger Lee Derby

1947 - 2017

KEENE – Ginger Lee Derby, beloved wife of Roy Derby, passed away peacefully in their Keene home Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017.

Ginger loved her family, her church family at Sturtevant Chapel and her Savior Jesus Christ. She fought a brave and extended battle with breast cancer and shared smiles with visitors until she passed.

Ginger was born in California on Jan. 25, 1947, to Sally Voorhees. She was adopted and spent her childhood growing up on Air Force bases across the country.

She married Barry Steelman in 1964 and they had four sons together during their marriage. 

Ginger went to hairdressing school after raising her four sons.  She became a stylist at JC Penney and worked in both the Concord and Keene salons for 15 years before retiring in 2009.

Ginger married Bernard "Bunny" Colburn and they lived together in Keene until his death. 

At age 55, Ginger was reunited with her birth mother, Sally, and Sally's husband, Richard.  This reunification brought her a great deal of joy and she loved the relationship that she had with Sally, Richard and their children-her brothers and sisters. 

Ginger married Roy Derby of Keene in 2009. They had a happy marriage during which they served others extensively as caregivers. They went to Nevada to take care of her mother, Sally, until she passed away. They spent an extended time caring for Richard at his home in Las Vegas before Ginger's cancer affected her health so severely that she returned to her home in New Hampshire.

Ginger was an active and involved member of Sturtevant Church in Keene. She loved God and loved being part of God's family. Many people recall her telling them of the love of Jesus and how He changed her life. She continued to volunteer and serve as long as she physically could.

Ginger is survived by her loving husband, Roy; and four sons, Greg Steelman and wife, Denise Steelman, Kurt Steelman and wife, Kristen Petricola, James Steelman and Drew Steelman and wife, Kristi Gallagher. Ginger also leaves behind eight grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at Sturtevant Chapel, 15 Washington Avenue, Keene.

Ginger asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Sturtevant Chapel, 15 Washington Avenue, Keene, NH. 03431 or Home Health Care Hospice, PO Box 564, Keene, NH. 03431.

Please visit foleyfuneralhome.com to leave an online remembrance.