Virginia 'Ginny' Meredith DeLong, 93

Virginia “Ginny” Meredith DeLong, 93, passed peacefully from this life to the next Sept. 3, 2023, at home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Dearly loved by family and friends, she will be deeply missed. Ginny was born to Harold and Irene Meredith on Oct. 8, 1929, in Lima, Ohio. Ginny reminisced about her childhood in Lima during the Great Depression. The stories of struggles were often followed by joyful stories of trips to her Ohio family farms with her brother, Jim, and sister, Barbara. Cousins galore were gathered and celebrated on the farms and cousin Dick shares very humorous cousin stories to this day.

Ginny graduated from Lima Central High School, where she excelled in journalism. After graduation, she attended Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated with a degree in elementary education.

During her teaching years, Ginny became reacquainted with David DeLong at an Ohio Wesleyan football game. They were married July 25, 1953, at Market Street Presbyterian Church in Lima, Ohio. They began their married life in Columbus, Ohio, while David completed veterinary school and eventually settled in Oberlin, Ohio. While in Oberlin, they raised three young children, accepted the challenge of a private veterinary practice and were very involved in serving in their church and community.

Wherever Ginny settled, she always had a heart for people, a desire to love her neighbor, a concern for the world around her and a passion to serve in her church and community. She loved and served with enthusiasm and most often with humor and a smile.

In 1973, a surprise announcement was made by David and Ginny to the DeLong children. The family would be moving to Idaho! Upon arriving in Idaho, Ginny immediately became involved at First Presbyterian Church and while serving, developed very meaningful, long-lasting friendships that she cherished deeply. She was extremely grateful to her new friends and church family. They helped her through difficult times that would soon follow when David had significant health challenges just after they had built the Hayden Lake Animal Hospital.

Later, Ginny became very involved in the community. She was in the first graduating class of Hospice of North Idaho volunteers. She recently, very gratefully, accepted help from this organization that she was part of all those years ago. In addition, she became active in other local groups: Mustard Seed Group, Gourmet Group, PEO, Bridge Club and Book Club. The friendships she shared with so many amazing people from these groups blessed her life greatly. Ginny had a wide variety of interests and hobbies and as she said, “they made her life full and good in every sense.” When it was time for fun, she might choose to paint, garden, read, golf or find a really good burger in town.

During the '80s, Ginny’s new focus was working with The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations. She served as chairperson on various committees including Victim Support, Education and Special Events. She worked very diligently on the initial stages of Camp Peace and had a heart for promoting peace in her community.

From an early age, Ginny thoroughly embraced celebration and had a knack for decorating. Her home always appeared as if there had recently been a celebration, or one was just around the corner. With her artistic ability, creative mind and patient spirit, she could create a most beautiful centerpiece out of rather questionable raw materials, leaving an inquiring mind wondering how she just did that. Her desire was that her home would be a welcoming gathering place for all and it was!

The family was highly important to Ginny. She found great joy in attending children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s events in their great variety. Whether sports, theatre or music … she enthusiastically attended them all! She also loved traveling with family and friends and had many adventures with her Ohio family, who have remained close all these years despite the miles that separated them. Travels with her Coeur d’Alene friends made them seem like family, too.

Neighbors were also extremely important to Ginny. In all her different communities, she cared about her neighbors, became friends with them and shared the sorrows and joys of life with them. Zest for life … Ginny had it! When you think of Ginny, she would love it if you might consider loving your neighbor, inviting a friend for pie, celebrating something with ice cream, saying a prayer for someone — even if you do not know them, picnicking with your family in the rain, serving with a purpose and a smile, remembering Jesus loves you and enjoying life … really enjoying it!

Ginny is survived by her children, Kathleen DeLong of Coeur d’Alene, Mike (April) DeLong of Dalton Gardens, Mary (Bob) Nuttelman of Hayden; grandchildren Sarah (Matt) King, Jenna (Taylor) Fore, Lindsay (Henry) Kornegay, Mark (Gracie) Nuttelman; great-grandchildren Jonah King, Harper Fore, Jameson Fore, Cora Kornegay; sister Barb (Ralph) of Lima, Ohio; sister-in-law Jan Meredith of Lima, Ohio; special cousin Dick (Joyce) Meredith of Lima, Ohio, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her niece, Sarah “Sally” Meredith (1983), husband David DeLong (2008) and brother James “Jim” Meredith (2022).

The family extends heartfelt thanks to friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses, pastors, caregivers and very dedicated helpers Lorry and Cula. We thank you all for helping make the later years of life more comfortable, meaningful, interesting and joy-filled for Ginny.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church (521 E. Lakeside Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church — Deacons Fund, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 or Hospice of North Idaho — Pet Pals Program, 2290 Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Ginny’s memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.