Isabel Virginia "Ginger" Howe

Isabel "Ginger" Virginia Howe received her heavenly reward Friday, January 20, 2023. With her loving family by her side, she made her long awaited transition to heaven. A woman of great pleasure to all whom she met, Ginger never knew a stranger! She loved broadly and with no judgement. Her husband of nearly 52 years, Kenneth P. Howe, Jr. was the love of her life. She often said he was the 'finest man she'd ever known" and he would quickly deny such a compliment from her. Their love created a family including three sons, Robert Edward, Timothy David (Lara) and Andrew Kenneth (Joia). Her four grandchildren were the twinkle in her eyes: Jack Robert, Emi-Lee Hughes, Henry Hughes and David Eugene. Ginger's life was centered around St. Matthews; attending Holy Spirit and Sacred Heart Academy, Ginger was a formidable opponent on the basketball court. She graduated in the class of 1964. In 1991, Sacred Heart Academy inducted Ginger into their Hall of Fame. She attended Ursuline College where she earned her degree in History. Known for entertaining and celebrating life, Ginger hosted many 'gatherings'. Whether a family member's birthday, Kentucky Derby party, summer BLT lunches, Eckert Christmas Eve, Tuesday Night Prayer Group or just because, Ginger always made a guest feel welcomed. She was an avid cook remembered for her chicken and dumplings, pork chop dinners, fried chicken and especially her chocolate chip cookies! She was known to deliver a batch of her famous cookies, with out fanfare or announcement, to friends and family; oh what a splendid surprise that would be! The youngest of eight children born to Isabel Pauline and John Edward Eckert, Ginger found her last place in birth order to be a great asset. Always opinionated, Ginger had a long line of siblings to which she had to convince and persuade to her way of thinking. Her many friends were also the object of her tenacity and whit. An avid Jeopardy fan, she would answer questions swiftly and accurately, a testament to her intellect and self assured opinion. And on the many occasions she would go to 'the boat' with her girlfriends, the slot machines would suffer her wrath! Ginger's bag of winnings was overflowing with a fortune of memories, laughter, stories and love. Ginger was received with open arms and a round of applause for a life well lived by her son Robert Edward Howe, her loving parents, her brothers, Father John Eckert, Richard Eckert, Ronnie Eckert and Eugene Eckert. Left to carry on her legacy are her husband, sons and daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren. In addition, her sisters, Mary Alice Brown and Katherine Risimini and her brother Robert Eckert celebrate her life. Her sister-in-laws were like sisters to her as well: Mary Ann Eckert (d. Richard), Katie Eckert (d. Ronnie), Sandy Eckert (Robert) and Pat Eckert (d. Eugene). Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and life long friends are honored and enlightened to have known Ginger. The family will receive visitors Tuesday, January 24th from 4 until 7 at Ratterman's on Lexington Road in St. Matthew's. A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, January 25th at St. Brigid's Catholic Church at 10am with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene Eckert Scholarship at Trinity High School or Sacred Heart Academy.