Dr. Jenny Gidner

Dr. Ginny GIDNER April 13, 1945 ~ May 3, 2012 Ginny passed peacefully having been granted her recent wishes to be at home, to not be a burden, and to minimize the discomfort she had experienced as she continued to battle a long and debilitating illness. As a mother, wife, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother and cousin, she reached out and profoundly affected the members of her family tree. As an educator who specialized in early childhood education, she affected the lives of countless children. Born Virginia Ann Billington in Vancouver, WA. to Ken and Virginia Billington, she began her inexorable journey to be the best at whatever she chose to pursue. After moving to Seattle in 1951, she became involved in Brownies, Girl Scouts, Jobs Daughters in addition to pursuing her education. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1963, enjoying her senior year as a cheer leader. She enrolled at the University of Washington and chose Elementary Education as her major. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and on graduation in 1967, began her long career as an educator for Seattle Public Schools. She quickly realized that she wanted to pursue additional education, achieved her masters degree and ultimately was awarded her doctorate in Education.She combined that degree with administrator credentials, spent three years as Assistant Superintendent in the Richmond, Virginia school system and was then chosen to be the Superintendent of the Snohomish School District until her retirement. Following "retirement,"she began another career with City University, teaching classes to future educators. Even with her illness, she continued to teach aspiring teachers and with her indomitable spirit, she became an inspiration to all. Ginny was blessed with a daughter, Kendra,from her first marriage (John). She also helped raise her other children, Sean and Raquel Tresvant. Ginny was reunited with her first love, Larry Gidner and they were able to spend six years together. These were some of the happiest years of her life. Ginny is survived by her husband, Larry, her daughter Kendra Podoll (Jesse) and her grandchildren Caleb, Mason and Emily, Giana and Sean Chris; her brother Brad (Vicki); nephew Peter (Nicolle); and great-nephew Max; and cousins Dick Gaither, Lloyd Gaither and John Love and second cousin Kerry Leathers; and forever "family member" Rod Campbell. She was preceded in death byher parents Ken and Virginia Billington. Ginny left many friends behind all of whom are better for their acquaintance with her. She asked her family to have a simple memorial service for family and close friends and for her ashes to be spread at her beloved Camano Island beach house. In lieu of flowers, any donations may be sent to the Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall St. Everett, Wa 98201 in memory of Ginny Gidner.