Virginia "Ginny" Ellen Decoteau (November 25, 1953- October 2, 2023)

The world has lost an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was loving, kind, selfless, compassionate and deeply touched the lives of all who met her.

Virginia "Ginny" Ellen Decoteau, of Poway, CA, was suddenly and unexpectedly called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 2, 2023. She was surrounded by her family singing, praying and telling stories of a life filled with love and adventure.

Virginia was born in Long Island, New York in 1953 to parents Edsel King and Elizabeth Moison.  She was one of six children and she loved her siblings, with whom she shared a very special bond; Cindy Juzysta, Debbie Samuelson, Edward "Bucky" King, Claudia "Coco" Curella, and Marlene King.

Her family moved to Keego Harbor, MI. She had a difficult childhood and could have let that become her story but she met her soulmate, "Saint David", as her mother called him.  She was thirteen years old and he was fifteen when they met. Virginia married her soulmate on October 2, 1970 when she was sixteen and he was eighteen. They had their first two daughters, Beth Ellen Fournier and Holly Ann Decoteau, and shortly after Holly was born they moved to California. Ginny missed her family so much that they moved back to Michigan for a short time.   David's dad told them there was lots of work in California in construction which Ginny knew was   David's passion, so they picked up and moved back to California. Their third daughter, Teri Denise Kincaid, was born in California, where they settled and built their incredible life together.

David and Ginny bought a mobile home in Poway, California and a few years later they bought their first house on Erin Lane. The house was a "fixer- upper" but with David's carpentry skills and Ginny's ability to make a house a home, they  turned the house on Erin Lane into a place that family and friends would gather. The door was always open and Ginny was usually in the kitchen cooking or baking an incredible meal or delicious treats to share with those who came to visit. Some of her famous dishes included  Butterhorns, Caramel Apple cinnamon rolls that she would bake for Christmas morning, Gingerbread cookies for the annual Christmas play at Lamb's Players Theatre, Christmas Cookies, Turkey Squares, Chicken Divan, pot roast and so much more.

There was nothing Ginny couldn't do. She worked in a pizza restaurant when she was young, the assembly line in a car plant, catered beautiful parties with her mom, worked at Kmart, US Airways as a reservations specialist, delivered flowers for a florist in town, worked in medical billing, drove a school bus, and spent the most time as a preschool teacher. Children loved Miss Ginny;, her classroom was beautifully decorated with all the projects the children had made. Her children and grandchildren loved being able to go to school with her, it made them feel so special. She made some beautiful friendships while teaching preschool and those friendships became a special part of her life.

After Ginny retired, she was able to turn her focus on her family and friends. No one is quite sure how she did it but she managed to make each person feel uniquely important and loved. She and David attended all of their children and grandchildren's activities and special events. She was always there on the first day of school to send them off into a new school year. She had a special yell she did at soccer, from the time her girls were young, to when she would watch the grandkids play. It was her way of saying, "I'm here". She loved soccer and even played it for many years. She was a tough defender with a powerful kick. When she watched the grandkids play she would bring a chair but she rarely ever sat down as she paced the sidelines ☺.

Ginny was someone that people loved and admired. But the real story here is the Love Story between her and David. He worked construction and did odd jobs to give her the life that she didn't have as a child. He spent 53 years loving her the way the Lord says a husband should love his wife. She loved him with her whole heart. They were a team. She scratched his back, he rubbed her feet. He loved to golf and she loved to do crafts as a way to show her love. They had the kind of love that most people strive for. They traveled the country and the world and shared their adventures with family and friends. David told jokes and Ginny would pretend to be annoyed she would say, "Gotta love him, gotta love him, gotta love him", but you could tell she loved that silly part of him that could make people laugh. They brought out the best in each other.

Ginny is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth King, her father, Edsel King, her brother, Edward "Bucky" King and her brother-in-law Ron Juzysta. She is also preceded in death by David's parents, his father, John Decoteau and his mother, Cecelia Decoteau. Ginny is survived by her husband of 53 years, David Decoteau. Her three beautiful daughters, Beth (Todd) Fournier, Holly "TiTi" Decoteau, Teri (Chris) Kincaid. Her wonderful grandchildren, Avery Echagarruga, Caleb Kincaid, Emma Kincaid, Tehya Fournier, Lily Fournier, Mason Kincaid and Wyatt Kincaid. Her sisters, Cindy Juzysta, Debbie (Sam) Samuelson, Claudia (Robin) Curella, and Marlene King. She is also survived by so many extended family and friends it would be difficult to list them all.

As many of you know Ginny loved her children. Her daughter, Teri Kincaid, is a breast cancer survivor. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers to please consider donating to FlatRetreat.org.  Flat Retreat is an organization that Teri is one of the Founders of and is very passionate about.  They organize gatherings for women who have flat closure after mastectomies. It gives support, resources and healing helping them be comfortable with their post-mastectomy bodies. This organization is very personal to the family but is not yet a 501(c)(3). If you prefer to donate to a 501(c)(3) please choose a charity that is close to your heart and make a donation in Ginny's name. Please also consider donations of blood in her name.

The viewing will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, 4:00-8:00 pm at Poway Bernardo Mortuary. Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church at 10:00 am, with a celebration of life immediately following.