Virginia "Ginnie" Ann (Mysel) Snell

Once upon a time the world was blessed with Virginia Ann preferably referred to as Ginnie. Ginnie entered this world as a Jersey Girl having been born in Morristown, NJ on January 12th, 1943. Her childhood home was on Mount Kemble Lake and as a child she rode horses in that area with her life-long friend, Dotty.
In 1966, she birthed her first daughter, Kirstie, and her second daughter, Lauren, four years later.
Ginnie moved to NH in the early 70’s driving her yellow VW Bug complete with a Saint Bernard named Sammy, a useful tool to aid in traction on the snowy winter roads.
Ginnie held a variety of jobs during her time on Earth from marine sales, to purchasing agent, to newspaper delivery and innkeeper but her true desire was to be a Forest Ranger. Ginnie was a do’er and helper to all - she had her “people” whom she drove to doctor’s appointments, work, errands and was always up for doggy day care duties. Ginnie walked and walked and walked and walked and walked. She walked on the boardwalk in NJ, in the mountains, on the rail trail - just about anywhere. She could often be seen taking her grandpup Gracie on long walks and visiting friends whenever Gracie was vacationing at GiGi’s house.
She never rested on her laurels and would never leave anyone in need of help. Ginnie got stuff done - “come hell or high water” - as she would regularly say and she was someone you did not mess with, a simple glance at her raised eyebrows would let you know that you needed to reassess your current choices and get back in line.
She had a passion for ironed bed sheets, reading a good book, a hot cup of tea, a lively game of Scrabble and getting into her PJs by 4PM.
After a series of significant yet lackluster relationships, Ginnie ultimately decided that they were not worth her time or energy and focused on her grandchildren, great grandchildren and helping others.
She enjoyed traveling with both family and friends. She biked through England and traveled to Russia, Denmark, Canada, the Bahamas and Barbados. Ginnie went on a game drive in South Africa and just this fall she took a cruise and road trip to Alaska thereby completing her visits to all of the 50 states.
Ginnie was a member of the United Methodist Church of Tilton-Northfield since 1974 and became fast friends with the entire Rand Family. She had a strong faith and served as Head of the Board of Trustees, Choir Member, chief cook and bottle washer, home visitor and trusted friend. She loved attending weekly Bible study and prayer groups.
Ginnie did it all and then some. Even in her housing complex, she kept busy helping to clear multiple cars of snow, day or night, and moving them in time for the plow.
Ginnie was a wonderful mom to Kirstie and Lauren, a devoted and loving Grammy to Lauren Ashley, Anakin, Rainier, Jack and Chris. She was a caring GiGi who would never say no to story time or ‘just one more’ game with Olivia, Eleanor and Phoenix. She was a special and much loved mother-in-law to Chip and gram-in-law to Rudy. Ginnie was lucky to have a light-hearted, comedic brother, Skippy, who passed on well before his time.
Ginnie had the pleasure of being a dog-owner throughout her life and will be laid to rest with her black lab and treasured hiking companion, Zoey.
After 80 years, the day came that Ginnie passed on to a place where she will live on peacefully ever after. A place where she forever send reminders to us all to continue her legacy of kindness and caring towards others.
Whether cooking homemade meals for her family, bringing food to her friends and neighbors, or volunteering to help feed the homeless, she had a heart for making sure no one went hungry.
In light of that, donations in her memory can be made to Twin Rivers Food Pantry, 2 Central Street, Unit C, Franklin, NH 03235 (twinriversfoodpantry.org)
A Celebration of a Life Well Lived will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 12 noon at Tilton- Northfield United Methodist Church, 400 West Main Street, Tilton, NH.