Obituary of Virginia M. Rumfelt

Virginia Mae "Ginny" Rumfelt, 93, of 120 Aldren Ave., died Tuesday, October 24, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. Born November 16, 1929, in Wichita, Kansas to Clarence Vayne Coate and Viola Irene Adcock Coate, Ginny lived in Jamestown, NY since 2008. Ginny graduated from Wichita North High School in 1947, continuing her education at the University of Wichita Business School. There she met LTJG Milo Rumfelt, a Naval aviator returned from service in the South Pacific. They were wed August 26, 1948. Ginny excelled as a career Naval officer's wife, managing numerous moves, emerging as a sought-after hostess and leader among the wives. With her husband often deployed, Ginny's greatest achievement was raising five children, three sons and two daughters, making each new residence a home filled with unconditional love. She nurtured the intrinsic gifts and personhood of each of her children and grandchildren, a steadfast advocate and port in the storm. In anticipation of Milo's retirement, the family moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, where Ginny began a celebrated career with the developmentally disabled. Ginny taught community-based preschool special education before becoming the Founding Executive Director for ECHO, Inc., a non-profit sheltered workshop. She brought skills as a leader, organizer, fund-raiser, speaker and advocate to ECHO's successful development and growth, and to the broader work of community services. After her retirement in 1983, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services recruited Ginny to develop and implement a grant for Cognitive Rehabilitation Services at Loudoun Memorial Hospital where she became the Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist for persons suffering traumatic brain injuries. Retiring in 1996, she was noted for her unprecedented knowledge, skill and compassion. Throughout her career she diligently pursued professional education, raised public awareness and was the recipient of many honors. Ginny always looked for the best in people and sought the best for them. The heart of Ginny's strength and compassion was her Christian faith. A dedicated Baptist in her youth, she eventually joined the Lutheran Church where she said the story of Jesus' Grace was the most beautiful thing she'd ever heard: her port in the storm, her joy and foundation. Surviving are her children Michael K. Rumfelt, the Rev. Daniel S. (Lois) Rumfelt, Gia-Mylan (Larry) Rose, and Timothy S. Rumfelt; her sister Clarice V. Graves; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Ginny was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, CDR Milo Rumfelt in 2001; her daughter Gina S. Vaughan in 2023; and her siblings Dale L. Coate, Harold J. Coate, Norma J. Olson, and Marcia R. Coate. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 16th, in the Lind Funeral Home, led by the Rev. Laura Csellak, Chaplain at Lutheran. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the Hillsboro Cemetery, Hillsboro, Virginia at a later date. Memorials may be made to The Lutheran Foundation, 715 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701, or a charity of one's choice.