Virginia Rodes

Virginia Irene Rodes, “Ginny”, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Ascension Living Saint Anne Place in Rockford, Illinois.   Born on October 7, 1945 in New Rumley, Ohio, to Jean and Richard Rodes, raised in Fairview Park OH, she attended North Central College in Naperville, IL for her B.A., then earned an M.A. in French Literature at University of Chicago. Some years later she received her Master of Library Science (MLS) at SUNY Fredonia. Over the years she resided in many places including: Cleveland OH, Chautauqua NY, Versoix / Geneva, Switzerland, Hampden-Sydney VA, Fresno CA, Santa Barbara CA, Cypress CA, Boston MA, Philadelphia PA, Columbia MD, Whiting IN, and finally Rockford IL. Her occupations ranged from managing the bookstore at the Chautauqua Institute for many years, driving a school bus for Chautauqua Public Schools, to Reference Librarian at Long Beach City College. While the Howard Community College library building was being constructed in Columbia MD, Ginny built from scratch that library’s impressive collection of books and media. Once that library was staffed and functional Ginny moved on in a big way. She embarked on a one-year trip around the world that turned into three years -- touching down to reside in Geneva as a multi-lingual editor for the art book publishing company, Studer. When her Swiss work permit could no longer be renewed she returned to the States doing text book and software sales for Ingram Publishing, Coutts, and others. She indulged her love of travel by getting assigned massive sales districts like, “Northwestern States--Western Canada--Alaska”, “Eastern Seaboard--Ottawa”. She moved to Maryland to assist with our parents’ elder-care and was hired as Director of Learning Resources and Information Services at Tai Sophia Institute, in Laurel MD. Her mission there was to transform the institute’s modest collection into a graduate school research library that would help the growing university attain Middle States accreditation. When Dick and Jean passed, and missing her beloved Chicago and the Great Lakes, Ginny bought a house in Whiting IN and became Manager of Library Services and French tutor at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting IN. She lived within walking distance of Lake Michigan.  After retiring she often ate lunch by the beauty of the lake. Ginny was a proud and loyal member of the American Library Association, American Civil Liberties Union, and Southern Poverty Law Center. She was passionate about civil rights, and was a proud activist. Ginny enjoyed traveling the world and getting to know fascinating people and places. She maintained active correspondences with an extended network of family and friends. One of her enjoyments was spoiling her nephews and grand nieces and nephews, either taking them on adventures or regaling them with stories of her own.  Being fluent in French opened many doors, including being a translator, along with her great interests in geography and science. She found great joy in music as a pianist and organist, as well as attending concerts as often as she could.
She was a “Big Sister” to us 4 siblings and a generous Mentor to so many.  Thank you, Ginny for a life well lived.
Blessings on your journey!   Ginny is survived by her Aunt, Mary Ann Smith; her siblings, Rebecca Wyant, Stuart (Peggy Adams) Rodes, Vernon Rodes, and Sylvia (Ned Waring) Rodes; her nephews Samuel (Janna) Wyant, James (Haley) Wyant, and Naji Adams Rodes; her Great nieces and nephews: Annika Wyant, Alexander Wyant, Jacob Wyant, Jesse Wyant, Magnolia Wyant, and Benjamin Wyant, and numerous beloved cousins and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean Bondurant Rodes and Rev Richard R Rodes, along with cousin, Audrey Smith Snell, several Aunts and Uncles and childhood foster sister, Janet Schraitle. Family and friends will be notified of a remote
Celebration of Life Remembrance at a later date. If you would like to contact the family and don’t already have a way to reach us, please send email to: rodesginny@gmail.com   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the endowment fund of the Chautauqua Institute https://giving.chq.org/endowment and/or support your local library. Quote Ginny liked by Shinedown:   “Don’t be delicate ... Be vast and brilliant”