Virginia Mae Flaugh Van Matre, age 85, of Cambridge Springs, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with her husband by her side. She was born in Cambridge Springs on February 16, 1936, the daughter of the late Crawford and Marian Leslie Flaugh. Ginger graduated with the Cambridge Springs High School class of 1954, and married her best friend and childhood sweetheart, H. William Van Matre, Jr., on January 4, 1959. After his service in the United States Navy was completed, they returned to their hometown to join his parents and grandparents in the family business, the Van Matre Funeral Home. They spent the rest of their life together faithfully serving their community, raising their family, and living out their faith in Jesus Christ. Bill and Ginger were blessed with three children – two sons, and a special daughter, Betsy Lee Van Matre, who even though died at the age of five, taught those around her about prayer and faith.
Ginger spent her lifetime loving and supporting her husband and her children, taking pleasure in making home-cooked meals, creating a cozy home, and providing wonderful holidays and celebrations for her grandchildren. She was known for her gift of encouragement and took pleasure in writing and sending notes and cards to people she knew. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs and spent many years teaching Sunday School and Bible School. In her younger days, she sang in the church choir and was known for her beautiful alto voice and for her harmonies. She knew the scriptures and lyrics to every hymn by heart. Ginger had always been an early riser and an avid walker. Dogs, especially black cocker spaniels, were one of the great joys of her life, and she was never without a black cocker spaniel at her side. Her hope was in the Lord, her comfort was in scripture, and she is surely at home now with her Lord Jesus.
In addition to her parents and daughter Betsy, she was preceded in death by her sister Mona Lee Schrubb.
Ginger is survived by Bill, her loving husband of 63 years; their two sons – H. William Van Matre III and his wife, Brenda of Cambridge Springs and Brian Crawford Van Matre and his wife, Kelley of Waterford; ten grandchildren – H. William Van Matre IV and his wife, Caitie of Fort Belvoir, VA; Emily Mumau and her husband, Joshua of Cambridge Springs; Lydia Sellers and her husband, Paul of Cambridge Springs; Louise Harris and her husband, Samuel of Holland, MI; Mark Van Matre of Cedarville, OH; Stephen Van Matre of Fort Sill, OK; Daniel Van Matre and his wife, Mallory of Reading, PA; Carolyn Winkelbauer and her husband, Joseph of Painesville, OH; David Van Matre and his wife, Caroline of Edinboro; and Audrey Lowrance and her husband, Timothy of Pittsburgh; and 17 great-grandchildren – Howard William Van Matre V and Jackson Van Matre; James and Levi Mumau; Henry, Edward, Benjamin and Faye Sellers; Elijah and Declan Harris; Violet and River Van Matre; Silas and Samuel Winkelbauer; Hope Van Matre; and Eleanor and Russell Lowrance.
Friends are invited to call at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Cambridge Springs on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 6-8 pm and Monday, January 3, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held there on Tuesday, January 4 at 11 am with interment to follow at Millers Station Cemetery.
I am sorry to learn of the passing of Virginia and extend my condolences to the entire Van Matre family.
We are so sorry to hear of Ginger’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To the family of Virginia…please accept our condolences in the loss of your loved one. Peace to you all in the coming days.
Jeffrey and Shirley Caldwell
What a sweet lady! I have nothing but fond memories of every moment I was able to spend with her from my teen years until just a few years ago. She played a major role in beginning my Bible class teaching at church some 45 years ago and even influenced my decision to join the Navy. She was always kind, even while being direct, and I often needed directness. May God continue to bless you, Mr. Van Matre, and you, Bill and Brian, and your entire family and may you be comforted as you have offered a place of comfort to these communities for your entire lives.
Bill and family,
All I can say is, wow! What a beautiful human being she was. No doubt she’s reaping all the rewards of Heaven…
Ginger was always a lovely person and a joy to talk to. My sympathies and prayers go out to all of you in the Van Matre family, and those sympathies and prayers especially go out to you, Bill. Nearly 63 years of marriage is a wonderful accomplishment and testimony to both you and Ginger. God bless.
Bill, William and Brian,
Your wife and mother was always a wonderful lady. I grew up in Cambridge until age 13. Many days were spent at your house. Mrs. Van Matre always kept a watchful eye on us. I do have fond memories of her during those years. All of you are blessed with your memories of her as well. God Bless all of you and your families.
We recall the years of loving care and sweet friendship the Van Matre family gave to our mom and grandmother, Dorothy Newell, especially Ginger and Bill. She, in return, thought the world of you and held so much fondness for the whole family, May you all feel God’s blessings in the days to come. Sincerely, the Viola Powell and Robert Thayer families.
My sympathy to Bill and your whole family in your loss of Ginger. She was a wonderful friend to me when we were students at Allegheny College. I have appreciated her staying in touch at Christmas over these many years. I know she will be greatly missed by many. Take comfort in knowing she is with the Lord who she served her whole life.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
So sorry to hear of your loss Bill. She is in heaven now. My condolences to the family.
Ginger was never without a smile and a positive reflection. Bill, Ginger, myself and Lucy had some very fine school years together. Rest In Peace to a very special friend.
Ginger was a kind and very loving person and I am sorry to hear that she has passed away but I know if anyone earned her place in Heaven during her time on Earth, it was Ginger. Throughout the years, my family has relied on the Van Matre family during times of sorrow and Ginger was always so comforting. I’m sorry about her passing but so, so grateful for having known her. My condolences to Bill and the rest of her family, she will be greatly missed. Stephanie Hale (Daughter of Jack Hale and Pearl B. Hale)
Bill and family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family, I am sure the Wolfe family is welcoming her with open arms.
Debra Wolfe Parmenter and my siblings
Bill, so sorry to hear of this. But, as we all know, she is in a much better place. Be strong my friend, she is finally at peace.
Brian and family, so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. It sounds like she has left you with many memories that will bring a smile to your heart.
Our sincere sympathy to all of the Van Matre family at the loss of Ginger. May God be with all of you as you deal with something that you are normally helping other people cope with — the loss of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Sympathy to the Van Matre family. Ginger was one of my best friends and the memory of her will stay in my heart forever.
Holiness and sacredness describe the life and legacy of Ginny, her husband Bill, her family, and grandchildren, her ministry to those she loved and cared for. I received a lifetime of encouragement from Ginny through written cards and letters and spoken messages. In honoring me and her family and others she honored God. Deepest gratitude. To God be the glory.
Bill, Brian , Bill and family. Bill sorry to hear of your Wife and to both you boys, your mom’s passing. Be comforted by knowing that she is in a good place, and by all the wonderful memories you have made with her over the years. Elmer and LeAnne Lemock