Virginia (Ginny) B. Hendren

Virginia (Ginny) Hendren was ushered into her spirit body by the Threshold Choir on the evening of Jan. 8, 2019, and thus a purpose driven life came to a peaceful end.

Born January 24, 1936 in North Side Chicago, Illinois, Ginny was raised with strong Midwest values and a hard work ethic in an era of innocence and privilege. She was a stellar representative of her generation.

Ginny graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, and attended Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. During her first year in college she met and married Hugh R. Wiley and together they had four children.

Ginny’s life was full of new experiences and had its challenges and tragedies as well. Becoming a single parent at the age of 31 with four young children, she rose to the occasion, raised her children and created a successful career in accounting and business management, accomplishing much by her quick intellect and determination. Her son, John, became a quadriplegic at 20 and died at 25. Ginny lived with chronic cancer from 2002 onwards. She never allowed it to get in the way of her living life fully. She didn’t consider herself a cancer survivor. She was a cancer thriver.

Ginny discovered Sand-point with her husband, Robert G. Hendren, while vacationing in their RV in 1992 and never left. Much of her life was spent RVing and she always kept a small camper as a retreat and second home well into her 70s.

Her impact on the Sandpoint community was profound having initiated seven women circle groups, among which some are continuing some 25 years later, and assisted in establishing the Artist Studio Tour and Light Circle Productions. Ginny had a gift for personal connection as testified by her wide-ranging circle of friends. She was the consummate hostess with the “mostess.” To her friends she was an inspiration and a rock.

One of her many talents was living elegantly on a sensible budget. She mastered the art of living large in small spaces. She loved cooking for large groups and had the ability to create gourmet experiences from the smallest of kitchens. Her dinner gatherings were memorable. An invitation from Ginny, whether in her home or campsite at Sam Owen was a treasured experience.

Ginny was fiercely political and communicated her pleasure or ire with her representatives long before it was popular. She exemplified being a good citizen in voicing her opinions and backing it up with action. Her activism was inspirational.

Her pursuit of excellence showed up in so many arenas. She was a voracious reader, an avid learning of world affairs, an adventurer, a student of spirituality and a minister of wisdom and kindness.

While having a head for numbers she had a heart for art and a gifted ear for music. She was an accomplished water colorist and music composer. Her home was adorned with the works of local artists and her personal spaces were their own work of art.

This amazing woman was a devoted mother, a much loved Gigi, a treasured friend, a loving sister, a trusted confidant and a wise counselor. She considered herself extremely blessed and fortunate, having lived a rich and full life. Her presence will be profoundly missed by her family and her many friends.

In honor of Ginny she would ask that you be informed and involved with your representatives in government and work to make the world a better place. She did both of the above to the best of her ability.

Ginny is survived by three children, Deborah and her husband Robert Staggs of Sandpoint, Idaho, Richard Baker Wiley and his wife Tullia of Austin, Texas, and Ann Romanello of Encinitas, California. She leaves six grandchildren, including Michael Staggs of Sandpoint and Laura Ellis (Matt) of Everett, Washington; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Karen Hannifin of Denver, Colorado; and numerous nephews and dear nieces.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Viola Baker; her husband, Robert Hendren; her former husband, Hugh Wiley and their son John; and her sister, Donna Fleetwood.

A celebration of life and potluck gathering will be held this spring or summer. Family and friends are invited to sign her online guest book at shermancampbell.com.