On Thursday March 10, 2016, Virginia Clara Drews passed away peacefully in her home at Ridgefield Crossings. Ginger was born on May 15, 1915 in New York City. She is predeceased by her husband Edwin Drews.
Her parents, Ada and Fredric Ehrlich were artists. Ginger worked as Supervisor of the Harkness Pavilion at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City for 27 years. She loved sports and horses. In high school she was on the basketball and bowling teams. She rode horses in Central Park and attended annual rodeos at Madison Square Garden. She met the love of her life Edwin Drews at a horse ranch in upstate New York. They married in New York City in 1950. Eddy and Ginger loved life together. The outdoors life style they wanted was not working in the city. They skied in the winter and rode horses on the ranch where they met. In 1951 they bought a 182 year old Dutch colonial on 15 acres, in Stattsbugh, NY and started a lifelong renovation of their beloved red country home. Ginger worked at the local hospital for two surgeons eventually becoming Executive Secretary of the Dutchess County Medical Society. She volunteered at the local SPCA and was President of the Dutchess County SPCA auxiliary from 1972-1974 when she retired.
Retirement did not slow Virginia down. She became a docent at the great Vanderbilt Mansion on the Hudson River and at Eleanor Roosevelt’s private home in Hyde Park NY. In fact many times after Ginger had completed giving a tour of her home Eleanor invited Ginger for tea and cookies!
In the late ‘70’s, early ’80’s Ginger and Ed traveled when they weren’t working on their home or volunteering time to the community. They visited 27 countries all over the world In 1999 Virginia sold her Staatsburg house after living there for 48 years and moved to Ridgefield Crossings here in Ridgefield. She moved to be close to friends that could help here in her later years, and because “climbing up on the roof cleaning gutters at age 85 might not be a good idea!” She became involved with the “Crossings”community enjoying the many activities and trips that are offered. She was a member Ridgebury Congregational church. Ginger lived at Ridgefield Crossings for 15 years making her the only original and longest resident. She enjoyed bingo, playing cards, and going to the daily evening happy hour. With a wonderful sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye Ginger’s many great stories will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at Ridgefield Crossings 640 Danbury Rd., Ridgefield CT on May 15, 2016 at a time to be announced. Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in charge of arrangements.
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