Virginia Schussler "Ginny" Stieglitz

Virginia Schussler (Gibson) Stieglitz passed away on June 23, 2023 in Hanover shortly after celebrating her 100th birthday. Ginny was surrounded by her family, son, Bob Schussler (Linda) of Indianapolis, IN; and daughter, Jane Schussler (Michael King) of York, PA.

Ginny was born on April 9, 1923 in Ridgewood, NJ to Earl and Vera Gibson, and raised alongside her brother, Stuart and two sisters, Kay and Janet. She grew up loving sports and she and her siblings played baseball and kickball in their large yard. She later would play tennis, basketball and golf and became a passionate advocate for women’s sports. Ginny attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN where she was a woman ahead of her times by graduating with a chemistry degree as a pre-med major. She worked in a chemical laboratory during World War II and truly was a “Rosie the Riveter” by buying men’s overalls and being the only woman checking the experiments.

While at DePauw, she met her college sweetheart, Russell Schussler, whom she married after graduation in 1944. After Russ graduated from Indiana University Law School, the couple settled in Richmond, IN where they raised their two children, Bob and Jane.

Ginny was a dedicated wife and mother and was a Cub Scout den mother, Brownie leader, seamstress of school costumes and homework assistant. She also found time to become involved in many local non-profit organizations including the League of Women Voters, Public Health Nursing, United Way, the Whitewater Opera Company (where she sang alto in many productions) and the YWCA girls camp program where she was known as “Mother Nature” for leading the nature programs. Ginny also served on the Richmond Community School Board for eight years, including a term as President. She was an advocate for intra-mural sports for the benefit of all children, despite their skill level and was “cheering all the way” for the increased emphasis on girls sports as early as 1977. She also supported more vocational education and involvement of parents the educational process. In a newspaper article at the end of her last term, she was quoted as follows: “We, the people, primarily are industrious, and we, the people, support the greatest experiment in Government known to man. To match the greatness we possess, we must have educated, concerned and competent citizens. A full educational program for students who wish to get an education is part of the assurance of our continued greatness.”

Ginny married Gilbert Stieglitz in 1989 and they moved from Richmond to Biloxi, MS where they loved boating on the Biloxi Bay, eating Cajun food, traveling to Europe and having the children and grandchildren visit them. After Gil passed away in 2003, Ginny moved to Hanover in 2005 where she was one of the first residents of the new addition at Homewood at Plum Creek. She became a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ and sang in the choir. She also was an avid participant in the Homewood talent shows where her favorite role was as an Oriole baseball player with another Homewood resident, Frank Bagot, singing “Take me out to the Ball Game.”

Ginny was a beloved grandmother to Stuart Schussler (Meli Bayon), Meredith Atkinson (Matt), Scott Schussler (Ashley), Jeff Claycombe, Jenny Claycombe, Jessica Filkosky, Sarah King and Ted King (Katie). She had nine great grandchildren – Vivian and Emilia Schussler, Claire and Reese Atkinson, Alma Schussler, Cole Jones, Ava, Addie and Crew King. She loved attending the grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations and traveling with them. She was an inspiration to them with her daily walks and her love of learning. She passed on to them her interest in geology and rock collecting and an enthusiasm for life. She regularly talked to them by phone and loved hearing about their adventures which kept her young of spirit.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 11 AM at Emmanuel United Church of Christ , located at 124 Broadway in Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ginny’s memory to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403 (attn Membership), member@cbf.org or to Pappus House, 253 Cherry Street, York, PA 17402, info@pappushouse.org