Maria Virginia (Ginny) Woolston was the most beautiful soul we have ever met and she also happened to be our mom (Mamae). We were the lucky four who she loved best and can only hope she left enough of herself behind to make us better humans so we can meet her again. Maria died at 78-years-old from complications due to ALS on March 27, 2022 in Bellevue, WA at her home under the care of her eldest daughter (Deborah).

Born in Recife, Brazil on March 18, 1944, from German father Heinz Albu and Brazilian mother Dinorah Albu, Maria immigrated to America as a young girl and married and began her family shortly after high school. She thrived on caring for others. She often had to single-handedly pack all four of us and our belongings up and move to different countries as our father relocated for work. She was the type of mom who always had a home-cooked meal, created fun birthday parties and made every holiday special with decorations in every room and handmade Halloween costumes. Being a mom was her life’s work and when we were all older and she still had so much to give, she became a medical assistant, caring for patients who adored her.

She loved walking and spoiling her rescue dogs, traveling, dancing, going out to eat or for coffee and volunteering at her church (Holy Family in Kirkland). She mostly had to work in order to keep the people she loved in gifts (including her kids, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends) and to be able to donate to almost every charity that asked. We are sure hundreds of non-profits had her on speed-dial.

Whoever met Maria, loved her. Even in a wheelchair, unable to walk or talk, she smiled, danced, had a positive attitude and made everyone who cared for her fall in love with her. With a faith and goodness unmatched, we know she is walking and dancing with those who died before her, including her beloved parents (Heinz and Dinorah Albu), her sister who was also her best friend (Elizabeth “Betsy” Sale), and her dogs. She is survived by her four children: Deborah Woolston (B.), Derek Woolston (Robin), Dax Woolston (Katie) and DeAnna Woolston (Jim); her five grandchildren: Izzy, Maicey, Luke, Ari and Payton; her two beloved brothers: Dick Albu (Nancy) and George Albu (Peggy); her aunt: Tia Jane Hubli (Henry); and a large extended family spanning the U.S., Germany and Brazil. While we are infinitely relieved this exquisite soul is no longer suffering, we also know she took a piece of us with her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Maria (Ginny) to the Covenant House, the ALS Association, or Kline Galland Hospice.

A funeral mass will be held for Maria on Monday, April 25 at the St. James Cathedral (804 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA) at 10:30 a.m. 

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