Virginia "Ginger" N. Holsted

Virginia “Ginger” N. Holsted was born to Lillian and Harry Neville on March 13, 1949 in St. John Hospital in Tulsa , Oklahoma . Ginger passed away January 27, 2011 in the same hospital where she was born. She fought a courageous month long battle with a brain injury. Following complications her body was unable to continue the fight. Ginger graduated from Bishop Kelly High School where she was President of the Pep Club for two years. She graduated from the University of Tulsa with honors in three years of study. On June 6, 1970 Ginger married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life Rick Holsted. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in June of 2010. Ginger taught 3rd grade at Lydrick Elementary School in South Bend , Indiana while Rick completed his studies at the University of Notre Dame. Rick and Ginger returned to Tulsa where she worked non-stop in a variety of jobs. She was personal assistant to Mr. Hanna of Hanna Furniture, owner of Ginger’s Antiques, Manager of Community Relations for the Osteopathic College of Medicine, Director of Marketing for Florafax International. She was a proud member of the First Leadership Tulsa class. In 1979 Ginger founded Panache, a catering and decorating company in Tulsa . Panache rapidly grew to be one of the largest independent catering companies in town. In over 20 years in business Ginger helped thousands of brides create the wedding of their dreams. Her special event clientele has included nearly every large corporation both locally and nationally. By far her most important work, and the most fulfilling for her, was as a fundraiser for local charities. Her generosity with her time, creativity and innovative ideas were happily given to an endless list of charities in Tulsa . Her magical fairy dust sprinkled on every fundraising event was a gift from her heart and not for profit. Her skill to transform a room from nice to spectacular has astonished her friends and clients for years. She is unmatched. Ginger is proceeded in death by her mother Lillian and her father Harry Neville. She is survived by her husband Rick, her brother Jerry, sister-in-law Lonnie Ann New, sister-in-law and Goddaughter Deanna Holsted, as well as many close family and friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses in the St. John NTICU and all of the doctors of the OU Critical Care Unit who worked tirelessly to bring her back to us. We are grateful and you are in our prayers. On a personal note from Rick: She made my life special from the moment I saw her as a sophomore in high school until the final moment I had with her. She was the strongest, most beautiful and creative person I ever knew. “She always knew how to make Christmas”. In lieu of flowers Ginger would like donations made to The Little Light House in her name, Alzheimer’s Association in the name of Lillian Neville, or to the charity of your choice in her name. Visitation 3:00 – 7:00pm Tuesday, February 1, 2011 and funeral service 1:00pm Wednesday, February 2, 2011 both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.

Virginia "Ginger" N. Holsted

March 13, 1949 - January 27, 2011