Virginia “Ginny” Niemeyer of Harrison, Ohio, passed away on May 29, 2023, at the age of 88.
She was born in 1934 to Urban and Elizabeth (nee Espey) Johansmann. She graduated from Ludlow High School where she was in numerous clubs. She was cheerleader in high school and was crowned Prom Queen. Ginny attended the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing in 1956 and graduated with a BSN. She worked at the General Hospital while in college. After college she took a position at Booth Hospital in Covington, Kentucky.
She married Gary Niemeyer and was blessed with two children: Barry, and Kimberly. She lived in Lakeside Park, Kentucky, before moving to Harrison, Ohio, in 1964, and then took a teaching position with the Southwest Local Schools where she taught kindergarten, second, and third grades for 11 years. During this time, she achieved her master’s degree in education from Miami University.
In 1977, she went back into nursing by accepting a position at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the Hearing-Impaired Clinic. She eventually moved into the role of nurse coordinator for the scoliosis and limb deficiency clinics until her retirement in 1995. In 1996, she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. She continued to work part time and volunteered at Children’s Hospital until 2003.
Ginny loved working with children as a nurse and a teacher. She especially loved her grandchildren and would do anything for them. Her support and care for them was beyond measure. She loved going on family camping vacations with her family, parents, and her sister’s family. Ginny made many friends that included those from work, college, and church. Her calendar was full of monthly lunches.
Ginny had a strong faith in God and her life was a testament to his love for her. Ginny played the organ for New Haven United Methodist Church, and she loved playing the old hymns. She was also a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School leader.
She loved her coffee, Diet Coke, wine, salt and vinegar potato chips, and especially chocolate chip cookies.
Through her journey with Alzheimer’s, her caring nature for others continued. She was always concerned about the other residents and how they were feeling. She was always hugging and giving kisses to those she was concerned about. She loved singing “I Love you a Bushel and a Peck.” Even in her last days, she told her caretakers that she was OK, and they should go take care of everyone else.
Ginny was the epitome of the most caring selfless person.
She was preceded in death by her parents Urban and Elizabeth Johansmann, grandson Andrew Bush, and brother in-law Dr. Jerry Jones.
Survivors include her children: Barry Niemeyer, and Kimberly (Tom) Bush; beloved grandchildren: Abigail (Brandon) Barnes, Liam Niemeyer, and Johan Niemeyer; Sister: Elizabeth Jones; Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins.
Services were entrusted to Brater Winter Funeral Home, Harrison.
Ginny’s family would like to thank the many caregivers at Harrison Trail Health Campus, Queen City Hospice, Artis Senior Living of Bridgetown, and her family, and friends that took care of her during her time at home. Their gratitude for your care is overwhelming!