Virginia "Gingie" Steinmetz Haley

Virginia "Gingie" (Steinmetz) Haley, age 85, died April 30th, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. She was born June 14, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana, to William J. and Clara (Peters) Steinmetz. She attended St. Joseph's Grade School and spent many a happy summer at Camp Kewano on Lake Michigan where the bottom was sandy, and you could check out a canoe after treading water for 10 minutes. She graduated as part of the John Adams High School class of 1953. After attending University of Arizona and Hollins College, she returned to South Bend and married John "Pat" Haley in 1957 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. As an Army wife for 20 years, she lived all over the US and overseas, threw the best army parties, could feed 30 soldiers at the drop of a hat, while also finding time to volunteer at the local Red Cross or Hospital. She returned to South Bend where this avid reader settled into the perfect job at the River Park Public Library. She reconnected with her Adams High School classmates, planning reunions and meeting regularly with the “lunch bunch.” Gingie was a member of the Tri-Delta sorority at the University of Arizona and served as the treasurer of the South Bend/Michiana Chapter. After retiring from the St. Joseph County Public Library, she moved to her 19th dwelling in Bloomington, Indiana in 2010. Gingie loved puzzles and games. During her army years, she was a regular at the base bingo game, winning two cars and scores of other prizes over her career. Always a crafter, whether it be stained glass, french beaded flowers, or knitting Icelandic sweaters, she was constantly trying something new, especially with her sister Joan and sister-in-law Shirley. Christmas crafts were their specialty. In the 1990s, she took up traditional rug hooking and joined the Happy Hookers of South Bend and the Niles Rug Hooking Club. In Bloomington, she was a founding member of the Upland Hookers with her daughter Jean to whom she passed on her love for the fiber arts. Gingie was known for her love of music from “her era” and loved to sing along, knowing all the words. She learned the ukulele in high school and picked it back up as a member of the Bell Trace Ukelelers, bringing some of the artistic license from the high school gang to the group's repertoire. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings William (Shirley) Steinmetz, Joan (William) Sanders, Jean (Richard) Hahn, and John (Wilma) Stienmetz. She is survived by her children John Haley, Laura (Dan Taylor) Haley, Vivian (Randy) Glaeser, Jean Haley, and Peter (Linda) Haley, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren with one on the way. She had a wry sense of humor, sweet demeanor, giving heart, and took life as it came. She always had a space for anyone who needed one. She’ll be missed by all who loved her. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am Monday, June 14, 2021 at the St Joseph Catholic Church at 225 N. Hill St South Bend, Indiana. The family will receive friends in the church 30 minutes prior to the Mass. There will be a private burial following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations made to the charity of your choice. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

Tributes

Virginia "Gingie" Steinmetz Haley

June 14, 1934 - April 30, 2020