Patricia Jean Ginsburg

Patricia “Jean/Jeanie” Ginsburg, 80, of Alexandria, Virginia, Died on March 5, 2023, at Fairfax Inova Hospital surrounded by family following an extended illness.

Jeanie as many lovingly called her, was predeceased in death by her parents Callie Priscilla Shaw McVickers and Leonard McVickers, as well as by numerous members of her extended Shaw family who she lived with during her youth. She is survived by her husband Gordon A. Ginsburg, her daughter Lisa Estes Walsh (Matt) of Alexandria, Virginia, her son Ben Estes Jr., of Augusta, Georgia, and by her grandchildren Callie Walsh, Mary Shaw Walsh, Zachary Estes, and Ben Estes III. She is also survived by a loving extended family that includes her former spouse Dr. Ben Estes Sr. and his wife Sue Estes with whom she shared an enduring friendship, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dozens of Shaw cousins.

She graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Nursing in Columbia, South Carolina in 1964 and in 1968 became a nurse anesthetist teaching nursing classes for a time before putting down her stethoscope to raise her two children. When her children were older Jean sold real estate in Augusta, Georgia with Sherman and Hemstreet and later Blanchard and Calhoun. She became a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Club and earned numerous awards including Rookie of the Year and Listing Agent of the Year. 

She found joy in giving back to her community volunteering her time to support a myriad of causes near to her heart. She belonged to the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Medical Association in Charleston, S.C., Richmond, Va., and Augusta, Ga. She served as President, National Vice President, Chairman of Legislature, as well as the head of many other committees for the Auxiliary. She was particularly proud of her efforts lobbying for laws mandating the use of child safety seats. During the late 70’s to late 80’s Jean volunteered with the American Red Cross where she presented anti-smoking, and anti-drug programs to schools. She also spoke to organizations on breast self-exams and AIDS prevention. She was a member of the Symphony Guild in Richmond, Va. where she served on multiple committees.

Jean’s children were the light of her life until she became a “Gigi” and fell in love with being a grandmother. While raising her children, she fully engaged in their schools serving as PTA President, Fundraising Chairman, Membership Chairman, Publicity Chairman, and as a Member of the Board of Directors for three different schools. Her children particularly remember her work as a Chair of five Tours of Homes during this time as they were able to “help” with these efforts.

She was an avid tennis player, a voracious reader, a competitive bridge player, and regularly “got her Wordle” in less tries than anyone else in her family. She began playing social bridge while she was raising her children but later went on to earn Life Master and become a Duplicate Bridge Director in her later years. She enjoyed traveling and attending events at the Kennedy Center with her family during her time in the Northern Virginia area. The beach was her happy place, and she spent a portion of her retirement living on Fripp Island and later in Bluffton, South Carolina. She was formerly a member of the Augusta Country Club in Augusta, Georgia and the Army and Navy Club in Washington DC.

Jean attended River Road Presbyterian Church in Richmond where she was a member of the adult choir, and the hand bell choir. As the family relocated, she was also a member of Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia, St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort, South Carolina, and finally St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia where she enjoyed watching her granddaughters acolyte. Her tremendous faith in the Lord was evidenced by her positive attitude no matter the circumstance, her zest for living, and her love of being in community with others.

Jeanie was our steel magnolia - she exemplified both feminine southern charm and an uncommon fortitude. She was a remarkable lady who made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered with her bright smile and cheerful presence. During her illness she was a favorite of the nurses and staff as she never failed to recognize each one by name to properly thank them for their kind attention. She will be immeasurably missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeanie’s memory to Mount Vernon at Home of Alexandria, Virginia http://www.mountvernonathome.org/donate or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia https://www.stpaulsalexandria.com/donate-now/ .

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday March 10, 2023, 228 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 with a reception following at the Mount Vernon Country Club, 5111 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, Va. 22309 in Alexandria, Va. The family will receive visitors on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Walsh residence. 

A burial service at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at a later date.

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