Dr Virginia &Quot;Ginger&Quot; Millonig

Virginia Ann Millonig (Ginger), nee Layng, passed away on Monday January 17, 2011. Ginger was born in Rockford, IL on May 23, 1934 to Earl and Camilla Layng. Ginger started her education at Trinity College and Marquette University obtaining her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She continued her education, receiving a Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of California and a Doctorate in Education at the University of Maryland. Ginger was a pioneer in the Pediatric Nursing field, earning her certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, one of the first in the country. She served as President for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as well as practiced as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She was a tenured professor at George Washington University and George Mason University. She spoke on Capitol Hill before congress on nursing issues and attended functions at the White House. Her career focused on the well being of children and the advancement of nurses. She created Health Leadership Associates, a nursing certification review company preparing nurses and nurse practitioners for certification. She wrote numerous books in the nursing field, and for womens health. She served on the board of many companies, including the Board of Trustees for Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Ginger loved to spend her winters at her home in Marco Island, FL and the remainder of her time at her home in Potomac, MD. Although her illness did not allow her to live at her homes the past few years, she still had fond memories. She is survived by her children, Bridget Jones-Guerra (Louis), Mary Riddlemoser (Jeff), and Martha Pounsberry (Butch), her eight grandchildren, Miles, Bernie, Lindsey, Paul, Bridget, Bradley, Brian, and Kaitlyn; also survived by ex-husband Paul Millonig, brother Jack Layng (Kit),sister Maryellen Haithcock, sister in-laws Genevieve Layng and Margaret Schantner and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends, but her illness caused her many struggles and she is now at peace. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday January 22, 2011 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 1400 Kiwanis Drive, Freeport, IL beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Winnebago, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at www.parkinson.org