Melissa Ginn

Longtime Farmington resident Melissa Anne Ginn, age 57, went to meet her father on June 27, 2008 after a long and courageous battle. Melissa, daughter of Karl and Mary Marschinke, was born on January 9, 1951 in Tucson Arizona. Her early years were spent in Tucson, Arizona with her six siblings where she gleefully destroyed her big brother’s prized toys with great regularity. She attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Grade School. Upon graduating she attended Villa Carondolet All Girls Catholic High School and met her future husband Mickey at one of the rare school dances. She was a member of the last and 100th graduating class. During high school summers she volunteered at Tucson Medical Center as a Candy Striper and so began her passion for nursing.

After high school Melissa and Mickey embarked on separate career paths in separate cities. Melissa attended Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Phoenix while Mickey attended the Mining Engineering Program at the University of Arizona. After being separated for a year the couple decided to marry. On a scorching 16^th day of July, 1970 they were wed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

She received her RN in 1972 and moved back with Mickey to married student housing at Christopher City while he completed his degree. Their first son, Jeremy, was born on November 22, 1973, a month before Mickey’s graduation. The young family moved to Kearny, Arizona where she began her career at the Kennecott Hospital. Their second son, Jason was born two years later, on January 15, 1976. During this period she fostered her lifelong love for nature and the outdoors with her family including hiking, boating, camping and gourmet cooking.

In 1980 the family moved to Denver, Colorado for a year then transitioned to Wright, Wyoming for five more years. She continued her career at the town doctor’s office and became head of the area Search and Rescue. She had a far-reaching impact on many in the local community and was respected and loved.

In early 1986 the family moved to their current location in Farmington, New Mexico. Where she continued her medical career as a Labor & Delivery Nurse at San Juan Regional Medical Center. In 1998 Melissa played a key role in the planning, design, and philosophy of the new Pinon Family Practice where she served as Nurse Manager and Caregiver for over six years. The practice proudly bears her stamp of compassion, wisdom and joy. Her final working years were spent time at the Surgery Center and Four Corners Anesthesia Pain Management. Her friendship and loving care will be sorely missed.

Along with her professional career, Melissa enjoyed many adventures including world travels to Africa, Asia and Europe. She embraced all cultures she encountered especially the two years she spent living in Africa. While there as an Expat she became a critical part of the community. Her knowledge of medicine and compassion proved invaluable to all.

After returning to the states Melissa became more passionate about international gourmet cooking. This resulted in many memorable gatherings with family and friends to showcase new recipes.

Melissa became involved with photography. First as a Sherpa Queen, lugging equipment to the highest hills for her husband, and later this interest grew to include starting a new photography business, Enchanted Light Photography. Her love of exploring with family and friends often found Lissa the first to organize camping, boating, hiking trips, reunions and various community events. She was a spiritual and religious member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

With all of her accomplishments and successes she was most proud of her two fine sons, daughters-in-law, and new grandson, Wade Jackson Ginn.

Melissa is survived by her devoted husband and best friend of 38 years, Mickey. Her children are Jeremy and wife Kristen of Tucson, Arizona, and Jason and wife, Heather and their son Wade Jackson of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is also survived by her mother Mary Margaret Marschinke, and siblings Michael (Sandy), Mary Lou Risley (Wayne), Margaret Ellen, James, and Mark (Marjorie). She was preceded in death by her father Karl Marschinke, and brother John.

Aside from her many skills and talents, Melissa will be remembered for her fire and passion to experience new adventures while living life to it’s fullest and “doing it right”.

A rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at the Sacred heart Catholic Church in Farmington, New Mexico. A memorial mass, also at Sacred Heart, will be held on Wednesday, July 2^nd at 10:00am.

Memorial services and interment will be held at 4:00pm on July 3rd at Evergreen Mortuary, 3015 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the San Juan Foundation-Melissa Ginn Nursing Scholarship, C/O San Juan College, 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402.