This memorial website was created in the memory of Ginnie Klein.
Virginia 'Ginnie' Cox Klein
March 4, 1930 - October 30, 2021
A life well lived! Virginia "Ginnie" Cox Klein (age 91) passed away at her Santa Rosa home (Klein Kompound) surrounded by loved ones on October 30, 2021, at 3:30 PM after a short stay in the hospital. She moved out to California with her parents in 1945 and graduated from Oakland High School. She attended San Jose State University studying Art and Liberal Studies graduating in 1952 and was a lifelong alumni of Black Masque and sorority member of Gamma Phi Beta. Ginnie was a talented artist attending various art clinics creating beautiful works of art specializing in water colors and pottery. She received her Masters of Education from Stanford University in 1954 and taught at a 'one room' school house in McKittrick, CA. In 1955, she met and married Galen Klein and had three children, James Allen Klein (deceased 1974), Kathleen Tara Klein (Perth, Western Australia) and Kristeen Cara Klein (Santa Rosa, CA) settling in Palo Alto where she lived for over 45 years. Divorced in 1964, she went on to have a successful career as an Editor at Stanford Research Institute (SRI), Ford Aerospace, and The Aerospace Corp. Ginnie made a major impact on the legal community with her Medical Arts business over the years. She was an Assistant Auto Shop teacher for the Palo Alto Adult Education, a 4-H leader, a Golden Gate English Springer Spaniel Assoc. Officer as well as an ESSFTA and Springer Rescue member. She was an active member and longtime Officer of the Austin Healey Club enjoying adventures in her son's Austin Healey 3000 BT7. She had a passion for all animals (especially Big Daddy Tuxedo Cat and Dolly Llama) and wildlife and supported many organizations. She was an active member of Christian churches and is currently a member of the Forestville United Methodist Church. She moved to Santa Rosa, CA in 2000 to be close to her daughter, Krissy. They had a full active life experiencing all Sonoma County has to offer as well as participating in performance dog sports with their Springer Spaniels. She loved to travel both in the US and internationally. Ginnie made a positive difference in so many people's lives. She is survived by her two daughters, Kathy and Krissy and her grandson, James Vincent Harper as well as her son's friends and many people she drew into her family circle. She is also survived by her sisters, Barbara Campbell (Charleston, SC) and Sharon Klein (Berkeley, CA). Celebration of Life will be held post pandemic and if interested in making donations in her name, below is a listing.
People have been asking me where to donate in my Mom’s honor and since she supported so many non-profit organizations I couldn’t pick just one. I decided to list all the organizations she donated to in 2021 in alphabetical order and you can decide which one you would like to support.
In alphabetical order: (copy and paste the URL to make it easier to donate)
The Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org
ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org
Best Friends: https://bestfriends.org/homepage4. Defenders of Wildlife: https://defenders.org/
Bird Rescue Center of Sonoma County: https://birdrescuecenter.org/
EDF Environmental Defense: https://www.edf.org/
Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
Cal Parks Foundation: https://www.calparks.org/node/281
Forestville United Methodist Church: https://www.forestvilleumc.org/
Friends of the Earth: https://foe.org/
Gentle Giants: https://thegentlegiants.org/
Guide Dogs for the Blind: https://www.guidedogs.com/
Jeremiah O’Brien: https://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/
Little Long Ears: https://www.littlelongears.org/
Marine Mammal Center: https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/
Mono Lake: https://www.monolake.org/
National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/
The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/
The Ocean Conservancy: https://oceanconservancy.org/
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
Sonoma Humane Society: https://humanesocietysoco.org/
Whole Dog Journal: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/
The Wilderness Society: https://www.wilderness.org/
World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/
Wildcare: https://discoverwildcare.org/
I can honestly say it was the best and the most tragic year of my life back in 1974.
My brother Kim had passed away and I was searching for life beyond sports. Its not that it didn't matter any more , I was just different. Then I went to this party on Corina Way in Palo Alto. Where everyone was friends "this giant circle of friends all gathered together dancing and listening to music."
In the middle was Ginnie enjoying life as she did her entire life. Grieving the loss of her son and keeping everyone all together. So many great memories with these amazing people. Recently I saw a picture of me in this east bay grease hat that Ginnie made for me for graduation . I am thankful to her in so many ways . Friends - Music- Love.
RIP Ginnie -You made the difference..
Love Drew
