Virginia "Ginger" Smith

Virginia “Ginger” Smith

    Virginia “Ginger” Soper Smith passed away March 15th surrounded by her loving family, both by blood and by choice, following her battle with breast cancer. Born January 13th, 1951 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the daughter of Hunter Alexander & Mary Yenne Soper. 

She married her college sweetheart, Douglas Smith, after they both graduated from Cornell College in 1974. They moved to Utah in the early 1980's and fell in love with the state.

Ginger received her MBA from Indiana University in 1981 and then went on to graduate from the University of Utah Law School in 1984. She enjoyed a long career at several prominent banks in the Salt Lake Valley, most recently as the head of the legal services department at Zions Bank.

A life-long Methodist, she was a member at First United Methodist Church and attended most Sundays. She loved her church, serving it in many roles, from singing in her beloved choir to chairing many committees. She most recently helped raise money for the renovation of FUMC's historic Wesleyan Heritage Organ.

Ginger continued to be involved with Cornell College her entire life, serving proudly on the Board of Trustees.

Ginger was an avid traveler, adventuring with Doug all over the globe. She loved taking her granddaughter to the zoo, aviary, and aquarium and especially Ginger's favorite spot in Canada.

Her father, husband, sons Andrew & Hunter and wife, Victoria, and her beloved granddaughter Mollie, survive her. Her sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and numerous others who looked to her as a guiding influence, will also sorely miss her.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Thoracic ICU at Intermountain Medical Center for the incredible care they provided in her last days. 

A memorial service will be held at St Marks Cathedral, 231 East 100 South, Salt Lake City on Friday, April 10th at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the First United Methodist Church organ restoration and maintenance fund at 3300 pipes.org.