Ode to Ginny

Wendy and I will always have loving memories of Ginny and all of her family and friends that we met at her memorial. We are most grateful for this experience and our Schmahl family friendships.
March 7, 2024


Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Birth
Moon and Tide early spring ’62 froth
Frederick and Joan welcome baby number two Panacea
Marianne’s mentorship begins and soon comes Fred, Jr. and Morgan.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Beach
Tidal pools and the smell of salty seas
The sound of the surf constantly repeating
Stirring her boundless imagination and love of nature.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Girl
Beach Channel High School environs and friends form
The Petri dish of our budding Virginia Marie
Part nerd, part rebel, Adventuress of the Seas.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Parks
Back country trails in Chaco Canyon dessert
Marine Explorer of Biscayne Bay and Everglades
Researching the Wild of the Florida Keys.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Keys
The beaches and reefs collide with GP
GP infatuation weaves the Tapestry of Love
Daniel and Erick burst forth like new coral.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Mama
Career GP flows from Keys to office and Indianhead
Mothering in the Nenes of Twin Joy Boys
Moves a chameleon naturalist to maternal medical.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Nurse
The Keys’ siren beckons this family’s return
Fascination trims the sails toward mothers and babies
Ginny’s career focus now on maternal health and birthing.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Texas
That eternal smile and benevolent coaching
Charms and inspires all who encounter
This Wonder of Nature, this Goddess of Love and Compassion.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Goddess
Her beauty rivaled only by kindness and caring
Love, understanding, cosmic counsel, and healing
Embrace and nurture all from family to strangers.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Eco-Advocate
The song and breach of the Humpback Whale
The fragile beauty of the Roseate Spoonbill and wetland wading birds
We must adapt lifestyles for future generations.

Rockaway, Rockaway, Rockaway Ginny
Mortality but dims your brilliance and shine
Your wisdom and infectious enthusiasm
And the INSPIRATION that guides into that GOOD NIGHT.

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Ginny happily gave the gift of being there, moments with her were full of warmth & love. Cherishing the conversations we had at the kitchen table in the mornings. Grateful for sunset walks in Galveston, washed down with a delicious rum & coke!

I deeply admired Ginny’s passion for protecting the earth, it’s precious beings & her efforts in conservation! Through binoculars on Bolivar, Ginny showed me a favorite bird, the bright roseate spoonbill! On a trip to Maui she shared her love of the majestic humpbacks, whose song still reverberates in my soul.

May love & healing go to GP, Dan & Erik & all those who basked in her bright spirit. I loved her like a mother & miss her so deeply ♥️

I met Ginny because of her passion for the sea. I was working as a secretary for Florida Marine Research’s Field Lab in Marathon. She joined the research crew, and we became friends. I was lucky enough to be at the hospital when she gave birth to Erik and Daniel. She turned to nursing school as her next passion. I never thought of becoming a nurse, especially being in my 40s at the time, but Ginny is the reason I did. She put the idea in my head, without even knowing it.  It was just by her example. 
The years and miles separated us, but in 1994, I graduated from Florida Keys Community College in Key West, and became an RN, at the age of 47. I retired in 2018. 
Angel Ginny, I wish we had had more time together, but I am ever so grateful for having known you. 
SWIM WITH THE WHALES!!!

My journey with Ginny began when we became new mothers; we met in the pediatricians office in Key West FL, September, 1986. We forged bonds of friendship that transcended the ordinary and blossomed into something extraordinary. As I reflect on the memories we shared, I am reminded of the countless moments of laughter, love, and camaraderie that defined our friendship. Whether basking in the glow of shared triumphs or weathering the storms of life's challenges, Ginny stood by my side, a steadfast ally and a true friend in every sense of the word.

With an unwavering spirit, Ginny embraced life's journey with courage and grace, touching the lives of all who had the privilege to know her. Her empathy knew no bounds, offering solace in times of sorrow and sharing in moments of joy with genuine warmth and sincerity.

Through the seasons of life, Ginny stood steadfast, a pillar of support in times of need and a steadfast companion through the highs and lows. Her presence was a constant reminder of the beauty of friendship, an enduring bond that transcends the confines of time and space.

The imprint of Ginny's spirit remains etched in the tapestry of my deepest memories. Her laughter lingers in the echoes of shared moments, her wisdom resonates in the depths of my heart and her love endures as an everlasting beacon of hope.

I honor her memory by carrying forward the light she bestowed upon me/us, spreading kindness, laughter, and love.



You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Oh this is perfect! Lovely photos of precious moments and memories of dear Ginny.  A perfect and beautiful tribute. 

Virginia Marie (“Ginny”) Schmahl, passed away on September 9, 2023, at her home in Galveston, TX, at the age of 61. She was born on March 7, 1962, in Rockaway Beach, NY, to Frederick Louw and Joan (Lannon) Louw. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister, Marianne Gilliams of Los Angeles, CA.

Ginny, a loving wife and supportive mother, is survived by her husband, George P. Schmahl of Galveston, and her twin sons, Erik Schmahl of Tucson, AZ, and Daniel Schmahl of Galveston. She will be dearly missed by her siblings, William Louw and Maureen Morgan of Rockaway Beach, and Fred Louw and Gregory Louw of Long Island, NY.

Ginny was a true ocean child, living most of her life on or near the water. Her passion for nature and the arts was sparked at Beach Channel High School where she graduated in 1980. This adventurous curiosity soon drew her to volunteer for the national parks, first on a backcountry trail crew in Chaco Canyon, NM and then as a marine naturalist/interpreter at Biscayne National Park in Homestead, FL. She went on to work as a marine research specialist at Everglades National Park and the Florida Department of Natural Resources in the Florida Keys. After the birth of her boys in Key West, FL in 1986, Ginny shifted her professional interest towards childbirth and maternal care and became a registered nurse.
For over 30 years, Ginny enjoyed an enriching nursing career working with mothers and babies at Lower Keys Memorial Hospital in Key West, Brazos Valley Women's Center in College Station, TX, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She became a passionate advocate for natural breastfeeding and maternal health equity.

Outside of work, Ginny’s love of people and nature manifested in her dedication to environmental and social justice causes. She was quick to share her enthusiasm for her varied interests, from humpback whales and roseate spoonbills, to desert canyons and mangrove islands. She also enjoyed ceramics, music, dancing, and spending time with her many friends. 

In July 2022 Ginny was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, but took it in great stride, living her remaining days to the fullest and spreading joy, gratitude, and support to those around her until the very end. As an artist, advocate, and inspiration to so many, Ginny Schmahl will be remembered for her kind heart, her love of nature, and her dedication to her family and profession. Her enchanting presence, love, and care will continue to shine.

A memorial celebration of Ginny’s life will be held on March 9, 2024 at Bienville Social (323 Tremont) in Galveston, Texas.