Virginia "Ginger" Clare

Virginia Marie Clare of Kansas City, MO died on Wednesday January 13 from complications arising from an extended illness. She was 64 years old.

Virginia, known as Ginger among friends and family, was born in New York City, borough of Manhattan on October 9, 1956 at St Vincent’s Hospital to Frances Loughman Duffy and Vincent Stanley Duffy.  She was raised in Stamford, CT and educated in the parochial school system where she attended St Cecilia’s and Holy Spirit elementary schools. She was graduated from Stamford Catholic High School’s class of 1974, and went on to study English at the College of New Rochelle where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in May of 1978.

Ginger found her first career employment with Combustion Engineering in Stamford, CT where she embarked on her career calling in human resources and benefits. During this time, she met the love of her life, Thomas Joseph Clare, a native of Edmond, OK who was residing in Ridgefield, CT. After dating a couple years, Ginger and Tom were married in April of 1991 and settled in Norwalk, CT, where Ginger gave birth to her two children.  In 1996, Ginger and Tom moved to Kansas City, MO, where Ginger found employment with Wagner Logistics of North Kansas City.

Ginger reminisced fondly of childhood memories from time she spent in Brant Lake, NY at a family summer home. Ginger loved to travel and spent a year working in Salt Lake City, headed to Ireland twice with her favorite sister, travelled several times to Europe and relocated to Kansas City…. all to nourish her travel bug. Additional trips to Hurricane Island, Lake of the Ozarks, Alaska and numerous cruises fed her wanderlust throughout her life.

She found her spiritual home in the Catholic Church, and was both active in and nourished by Holy Family parish in Kansas City, MO. She found a true sense of faith-sharing, fellowship and love among the Amen Sisters. The eucharist was the center of her spiritual life and she trustingly followed her Lord carrying her own cross the last 2-1/2years of her life with great grace and humor.

Ginger is survived by her husband of 30 years Thomas Joseph, her sons Liam Duffy Clare (Lindsy Rae Monroe) and Daniel Ian Clare (Miranda Barber), her infant grandson Miles Flynn Clare, 2 brothers Vincent Gerard Duffy (Erin Haggerty) of Waterford, NY and Brendan Joseph Duffy (Kimberly D’Elia) of Sandy Hook, CT and 1 sister, Sheila Mary Duffy of Stratford, CT. Her three nieces Bridgett Duffy, Ryanne Duffy, Madison Duffy and her nephew Brendon Owen Duffy. Additionally, Ginger was predeceased by Pedro, Seamus and Connor and is survived by Cowboy and Marshall.

Ginger’s passing is a tremendous loss to a great many people who are comforted knowing Ginger has already reunited with loved ones she’s lost. Until such time as Ginger is reunited with all her friends, family and loved ones, she’ll be cradled in the warm embrace of a loving God.

Services will be held Friday, March 19th at 2pm at Holy Family Church. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, The American Lung Association or a charity of your choice.