Virginia (Ginny) Cameron Blake

On June 13, 2015, Virginia Cameron Blake was welcomed through Heaven’s gates. She left her life the way she lived it, lovingly, laughing, and with a radiant smile.

In 1962 Kathryn and David Cameron received one of the greatest gifts of their lives, a daughter they named Virginia (Ginny). Ginny was raised in Boiling Springs, PA and attended Cumberland Valley High School. She spent several years of her childhood sleeping in metal braces to straighten her legs and the rest of her life using those legs to climb over any fence, barrier or obstacle that was placed in front of her.

In 1977 she gave birth to the first love of her life, David E. Bender. While she was a young mother she also possessed a fierce work ethic. She made wedding cakes, cleaned houses, worked at a bakery, a bank, waited on tables, spent 15-years serving at the Deer Lodge, and 26-years employed in various departments at Carlisle Hospital. Throughout these experiences Ginny cultivated close, beautiful, and lifelong friendships. It was during her time at the Deer Lodge that she met Gregory Allen Blake, the man that would steal her heart and eventually become her husband. On May 24, 1998 Ginny and Greg married and Ginny became not only a wife but also a loving mother to his two children, Gina and Brandy Blake.

Besides her deep affection for her family and friends, she also lovedworking, gardening, exercising, traveling, the smell of sheets off the laundry line, a meal and martini made by her son, trips with girlfriends, making her husband do chores, attending church at Mount Holly Church of God, and being a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Post 674.

In 2006 Ginny was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. With the prediction of only three months to live, Ginny became the definition of a miracle and lived another 9 years. During this time she raised over $25,000 for the American Cancer Society, continued to work at the Carlisle Hospital, traveled, spent time laughing with friends and family, and attended church on Sundays. True to her nature she stubbornly refused to listen to the pleading of her loved ones to use her walker, stay in the wheelchair, and for the love of God just sit down! She dedicated the final years of her life to boldly wearing a beautiful smile, loving courageously, practicing kindness and forgiveness, sharing her story of survival and hope, strengthening her relationship with Jesus Christ, and simply embracing the joy of living each moment of her life.

Ginny is survived by her husband Gregory Allen Blake, who was her devoted caregiver;children, David Eugene (Sarah Anne Taby) Bender of Carlisle, PA, Gina Renee Blake of Pittsburg, PA, Brandy Jean Blake of Lake Charles, LA;mother, Kathryn Irene Cameron Garell of Carlisle, PA; a sister, Dawn Elizabeth (George) White of Shippensburg, PA; four nieces and one nephew; and two great nephews. Ginny’s father, David E. Cameron, Sister Juanita Kay Cameron, and Brother-in-law George R. White Jr. preceded her in death.