I am so sorry to hear you are gone. Way back, way before high school, you were the first girl I ever slow danced with - and the song was the Beach Boys "Little Surfer Girl." I am sorry that we lost contact. I had no idea that you were gone. I will hang on to the good memories we created when we were kids. - Tom Wood
Ginger was such a darling and personable girl.. I don't remember slow dancing but I'm sure we did. She was a charismatic and cute gal, who I enjoyed a wonderful friendship with through the Jr. High and High School years. Great memories.
Thank you Ginger for every moment you so graciously and unselfishly shared with me.
All the times we slow danced, fast danced and square danced. The hours we spent studying together next to your locker; the drives in the mountains; the walks, and the talks. You were the best part of my young life and I have been missing your sweet smile since we parted company.
It took a long time for me to forgive myself for falling from your good graces, but I know you, and I was probably forgiven many moons ago.
I was so looking forward to sharing my life's experiences and hearing about your's at this reunion. I pray I am blessed enough to bask in your light once again when I cross over to the other side.
Note from Jay: While there is no mention of graduating from East High in this obituary which I located online, everything else appears consistent with our classmate, and so I will post it here. Since there is a Hurricane, Utah I will point out that the Hurricane below is in West Virginia.
Obituary: Ginger McKay Dillon
Ginger McKay Dillon
Ginger McKay Dillon Memorial Celebration Born Ogden, UT, June 28, 1952. Died Hurricane, WV, August 9, 2003. Miriam Ginger McKay Dillon passed peacefully away at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She died of Ovarian Cancer. The family expresses gratitude to her doctors at Cabell Huntington Hospital. A Celebration of her life was held Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Forrest Burdette United Methodist Church in Hurricane. Interment was at Valley View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum of the Guardian Angel. The family requests in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Hurricane High School Improvement Council-Ginger McKay Account for the continuation of her campus Art Gallery. Ginger graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1973, with double degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She received her Masters in Reading from the University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus and was cerified in all the exceptionalities of Special Education. She taught college classes and in the public school system for thirty years. Ginger served as Job Coach at Hurricane High School and was a Homebound Instructor for Putnam Co. Schools. She affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers serving as a certified educational research and dissemination instructor for her union. While an employee of Putnam Co. Schools, she collected over $15,000 in valuable art and hung it in three schools in which she worked. She also chaired Freedom Festivals in every school; she worked to promote her appreciation of freedom and America in our student populations. Ginger is survived by: husband: Matthew Dillon, Hurricane, WV; parents: Betty Jensen McKay; Kenneth V. McKay, (JoAnne); sisters: Sherry Oliver and Steve, all of Salt Lake City; Charlotte Gerber and Andrew, St. George; Michele McKay and Tony, Honolulu, HI; Sally Miller and Bob, Encinitas, CA, and Holly Gessner and Ralph, Cincinnati, OH. Children: Lisa Wood and Brian, Lora Ford and Eric, LezLee Haynie all Morgantown, WV, Steven McKay Wright, Procterville, OH; and Stephanie Davis, Ogden UT.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune & Deseret News on Aug. 15, 2003
This obituary is definitely our Ginger. I lost touch with her 30 years ago. I was so shocked to see her name on the list of classmates that had passed away. The Ginger I remember was so full of life and energy. (I am crying as I write this) I always wanted to be close to her, but I never really fit into her busy life. I remember how she struggled with math in 9th grade at Bryant, and a few years later she graduated from the U with honors. She always seemed to have a plan for her life. I am not suprised at how much she accomplished. I admired her so much. She inspired me to make a change in my life at a time when I felt trapped in an unhappy relationship. I will forever be grateful that I knew her. Chali Burton Wertz
Tom Wood
I am so sorry to hear you are gone. Way back, way before high school, you were the first girl I ever slow danced with - and the song was the Beach Boys "Little Surfer Girl." I am sorry that we lost contact. I had no idea that you were gone. I will hang on to the good memories we created when we were kids. - Tom WoodJohn B Hewlett
Ginger was such a darling and personable girl.. I don't remember slow dancing but I'm sure we did. She was a charismatic and cute gal, who I enjoyed a wonderful friendship with through the Jr. High and High School years. Great memories.
Jack L Foriska
Thank you Ginger for every moment you so graciously and unselfishly shared with me.
All the times we slow danced, fast danced and square danced. The hours we spent studying together next to your locker; the drives in the mountains; the walks, and the talks. You were the best part of my young life and I have been missing your sweet smile since we parted company.
It took a long time for me to forgive myself for falling from your good graces, but I know you, and I was probably forgiven many moons ago.
I was so looking forward to sharing my life's experiences and hearing about your's at this reunion. I pray I am blessed enough to bask in your light once again when I cross over to the other side.
Sleep well beautiful princess.
Jack
Kathryn Esplin (Esplin-Oleski)
Ginger always seemed so sweet and happy, Peace,
Kathy Wirtz (Backer)
I knew you in Ogden in the 4th grade. You can imagine how surprised I was to see you again after all those years-all grown up! RIP
Jay Mower
Obituary: Ginger McKay Dillon
Ginger McKay Dillon
Chali Burton (Wertz)
This obituary is definitely our Ginger. I lost touch with her 30 years ago. I was so shocked to see her name on the list of classmates that had passed away. The Ginger I remember was so full of life and energy. (I am crying as I write this) I always wanted to be close to her, but I never really fit into her busy life. I remember how she struggled with math in 9th grade at Bryant, and a few years later she graduated from the U with honors. She always seemed to have a plan for her life. I am not suprised at how much she accomplished. I admired her so much. She inspired me to make a change in my life at a time when I felt trapped in an unhappy relationship. I will forever be grateful that I knew her. Chali Burton Wertz