Virginia Ruth Wilson

Virginia Ruth Wilson, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Denver Colorado on April 23, 2023. She was the daughter of George Jr. Martin and Miriam Amanda Schaeffer Martin, and sister to Barbara Martin Hardy, who proceeded her in death. She was the loving wife of Roland Albert Wilson, and loving mother of a daughter and two sons.

Virginia is survived by her three children and their families; Daughter Wendy Linnea Wilson (Douglas Turco: Linnea Turco,(Brett Ballard) Gian Turco, Paolo Turco(Sydney Prom). Son Eric Roland Wilson (Cheryl Wilson: Hannah and Steve Loewen (and two great grandchildren), Peter and Hannah Wilson, Madeline Wilson (Brian) and Luke Wilson). Son, Kris Einar Wilson (Keri Wilson; Ana Gwyn Wilson, Griffin Wilson, Rhyan Kathryn Wilson). As well as her nephew Stan Johnson and nieces; Coralyn Johnson, Rosalyn (Bert) Leautaud and Luanne (Jim)  Hook.

Virginia (Ginny) was born 13th of February, 1933 in Allentown PA. She spent her childhood in Clarks Green PA. She attended Syracuse University, University of OK obtaining a BFA in art, and earned an MFA from Wichita State – teaching fellowship.

Ginny met, dated and then married the love of her life, Roland Albert Wilson (2009) at Trinity Methodist Church Denver, 18th of January 1958. 

Ginny and Roland built apartment buildings throughout Denver. Roland, was an architect and developer, who oversaw the design and construction of many of the buildings that make up the Denver skyline. Ginny was by his side every step of the way. As the interior designer, Ginny managed the design elements of all the public spaces in the properties they developed. They soon built a house in Cherry Hills Village and lived there from 1961 to 2012. They were one of the founding families of The Village Club, where both were very active socially as well as on the Tennis Courts.

Roland, Ginny and the kids loved to hike, camp, jeep on terrifying Colorado trails and fish.

They enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, especially connecting with relatives in Sweden.

Ginny and Roland also loved to ski and shared this passion with their children. They especially liked Vail and Steamboat and had condos in each where they spent many wonderful ski days. 

Ginny and Roland had great adventures collecting Southwestern art. They took great joy in meeting Native American artists, supporting young artists and preserving Native American antiquities. In 2010 Ginny donated a large portion of their Native American pottery collection to the Heard Museum in Phoenix AZ. Additionally, a number of Native American pots, rugs, baskets, sculptures and dolls will go to the Anschutz Center at the University of Colorado Medical School.

In 1980, Roland and Ginny bought a ranch in the San Luis Valley, and soon became cattle ranchers, a role that suited them well. Ginny helped develop the breading program at the ranch, and immersed herself in the cowboy lifestyle. In 2007, Roland and Ginny put the ranch into a conservation easement through the Colorado Cattleman’s association, protecting the land from future development. In conjunction, Roland and Ginny endowed a scholarship at Colorado State University for undergraduate and graduate agriculture students. Roland and Ginny had a passion for Colorado ranches and agriculture and were proud to be protectors of the ranch lifestyle.

Ginny and Roland were partners in life, business and love. Their love continues in their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends throughout Colorado and the west. 

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Drinkwine Family Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust or to Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org in Ginny's name and memory.

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