Virginia Rae 'Gini' Walson

Virginia Rae "Gini" Walson passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Monday, March 27, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Hideaway Lounge on April 1, 2006 from 1-4 p.m.

Gini was born in Benton City, Wash., on Sept. 27, 1928, to Emmett and Montana Harrison.

They moved to Yakima, Wash., when she was a young girl. Her first job was with J.C. Penneys at age 16.

She later worked for the phone company as an operator.

She married Jim Scott and they later divorced.

She lived a short time in California and Spokane, Wash., moving to Sandpoint in 1963. She worked at Connie's, The Cabinet Gorge, Tam 0'Shanter and the North Shore.

Gini married Darrell Walson on Oct. 27, 1973 in Juneau, Alaska. They made their home there until retiring to Sandpoint in 1983.

Gini loved her garden and flowers and she especially loved to golf with Darrell and their friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Darrell and her parents, Emmett and Montana Harrison.

Gini is survived by two daughters, Diana Moore (Kevin Garvey) of Sandpoint and Tana Mercer (fiancee Wayne Wollenweber) of Sandpoint; three grandchildren, Tina Morton, Jason Morton and Derek Mercer; seven great-grandchildren; and her special cousin, Boots White of Yakima, Wash.

A special thanks to the nurses at Hospice for their care as well as Brenda Bergman and Deb, who stayed with her during the day.

Memorials may be made to Bonner County Hospice, P.O. Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or Panhandle Animal Shelter, 1604 Great Northern Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.