Virginia ‘Ginger’ Louise Hoekenschnieder Finzel, 69, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2018, from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a parkinsonian disease. She was born on July 11, 1949 to Lee Roy and Elsie Hoekenschnieder. A native Huntsvillian, she lived in Alabama for much of her life, but traveled to 49 of the 50 states and even as far as Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Peru.
In May 1968, Ginger married her life-long sweetheart, Dr. Peter Finzel, son of one of the original von Braun rocket team (Operation Paper Clip). The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past May. They have three grown children: two of them (Margarete Finzel Smith and Brian Finzel) are teachers at St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville; and the other (Christina Finzel Gomez) is a lawyer in Denver. They have been gifted with eight beautiful grandchildren: Clayton Smith, age 15; Isabella Gomez, age 13; Abigail Smith, age 11; Matias Gomez, age 10; Peter Smith, age 10; Marilyn Finzel, age 8; Sophia Gomez, age 5; and Megan Finzel, age 5.
Ginger attended Volunteer State Community College. Although family was the first love of her life, she had several jobs outside the home, including serving as Administrative Director for the Huntsville-Madison County Dental Society for 30 years, Administrative Assistant for the Eighth District Dental Society for 13 years, Youth Director for St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church for 7 years, and as a volunteer at St. John Paul II Catholic High School for 10 years. But her most fulfilling working role was serving as the initial Executive Director of the Community Free Dental Clinic in Huntsville for five years. During that time, she spent countless hours working to help poverty-level people in Madison County in need of dental care.
Ginger loved life and lived it to its fullest. She spent time with her family and friends. She loved spoiling her grandchildren. She traveled, went camping, hiked, played board games, made jokes, and celebrated life’s big and little moments. She was active with her church. She made quilts. She sang in the choir. And she loved to give advice, frequently telling people “don’t forget that teachable moment.” In other words, with every mistake we make, we can learn something from it.
Ginger is survived by her husband, her three children and their spouses, her eight grandchildren, and her six brothers and sisters, Marilyn Renfro, Lee Hoekenschnieder, Edna Gibson, Jim Hoekenschnieder, Tim Hoekenschnieder, and Lisa Smart.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 11th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 7. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church with Father William Kelly officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community Free Dental Clinic, 2341 Whitesburg Dr., Huntsville, AL 35801, or St. John Paul II Catholic High School, 7301 Old Madison Pike, Huntsville, AL, 35806.
