It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Ellen (Ginny) Bailey (née Bliss), 81, on November 30, 2025, in Lakewood, CO. Born on May 3, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio, Ginny will always be remembered for her warm and nurturing spirit. Her love and devotion to her family were unwavering, and she made a significant impact on everyone she encountered.

Ginny graduated from Arlington High School in 1962, and earned a degree in elementary education from Knox College in 1966. She raised her family in Crystal Lake, IL, where she taught in the McHenry and Barrington school districts. With a Master's in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Ginny was able to expand her impact on students and served as a mentor and leader, teaching teachers effective literacy instruction techniques. She traveled throughout the U.S. with the Everyday Math program and even journeyed to New Zealand to study their literacy program. Her commitment to education was evident in her dedication to nurturing and guiding the young minds entrusted to her, touching the lives of hundreds of students over the years.

Ginny is survived by her high school sweetheart and devoted husband, George (Rick) Bailey. Her loving sons, Steven Bailey (Rita) of Philadelphia and EG Bailey (Sha), as well as her beloved daughter, Kati Kreck (Kevin), also survive her.

Early family vacations were spent frolicking in northern Wisconsin, while Rick and Ginny enjoyed traveling to San Diego and chasing their family wherever they might be—such as Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Vancouver, Orcas Island, and Okinawa, Japan.

In 1999, Rick and Ginny left Illinois to settle in Evergreen, CO. As active members of Church of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Ginny served on several committees, organizing the annual Alternative Gift Fair. Eleven years later, they moved to Denver, where they became members of Denver’s Trinity United Methodist Church Choir. There, they sang in multiple towns in Tuscany, as well as St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and Carnegie Hall in NYC. Rick sums it up best: “We had a great life together.”

Ginny's family was her world, and she was deeply proud of her grandchildren: Julia Lucas (Copeland), Christian Bailey (Kelly), Sabrina Bailey, Jordan Bailey, Jalen Bailey, Declan Kreck, and Quinn Kreck. Her love and wisdom will continue to guide them as they navigate through life.

Her sister, Margaret (Peggy) Appleby, and brother-in-law, Drew Appleby, also mourn the loss of a loving sister. Ginny was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Robert Bliss, and her beloved sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Klapper and Lucy Thompson. Peggy fondly remembers sister reunions in Phoenix, AZ, where she and her sisters would laugh at their very proper eldest sister, Ginny, reluctantly drinking cantaloupe martinis. Ginny’s radiant spirit and love for life will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will take place on December 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Village at Belmar in Lakewood, CO. Friends and family are invited to attend and share their cherished memories of Ginny. Her zest for life, laughter, and wonderful stories will be celebrated and remembered. Ginny's life was a testament to the power of love, education, and perseverance. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and will remain forever in our hearts.

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, in lieu of flowers, would be greatly appreciated.

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