Virginia Ann “Ginny” DeRoche-Mattson

Born October 18, 1945, in Marquette, a daughter of Raymond and Helen (Hilgers) DeRoche, she was raised in the communities of Munising and Houghton. Ginny graduated from Munising’s Wm. G. Mather High School, Class of 1963 and later continued her education at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. To Ginny, her nursing career was more than a job or employment opportunity, it was a vocation to which she steadfastly dedicated her entire life. Throughout the years, the workplace locations varied, but her resolve to do her best in the care and service of others never faltered. She was always willing to go the extra mile. The highlights of her extensive career included beginning as a new registered nurse graduate at Mayo’s St. Mary’s Hospital and continued with her teaching nursing in St. Mary’s RN program in Grand Rapids and also at Bay College in Escanaba. Locally, Ginny served as a staff nurse and head nurse at Marquette General Hospital, as a staff nurse in the float pool, supervisor, and vice-president of nursing at Bell Memorial Hospital in Ishpeming, and as a staff nurse at the Marquette County Health Department. For several years, Ginny served as a travel nurse at the University of Arizona Hospital and the Tucson Medical Center. She was employed for a time with Superior Health Care and Triwest Military Insurance at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and had responsibilities for quality management at Gerald Memorial Hospital in Alamagordo, New Mexico. Among her fondest memories was a period of time during her traveling nurse days when she helped care for the Jim and Michelle Stevens family and their children, Taylor, Maddy, Zachary, and Jace. They remain dear and valued friends to this day. Ginny’s passion for caring for others extended to her volunteering with Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice where she was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Award in 2017. Much of what Ginny did was the result of her firm faith and belief that whatever she was called to do, the skills and gifts would be provided. She was an active member of St. Christopher Catholic Church where she especially loved praying the rosary with the church”Ćs rosary group, served as a Eucharistic minister and as a resource nurse for the parish. In her leisure, she enjoyed gardening, diamond bead painting, and stained glass crafting. She was a lover of golden retrievers and throughout the years had several of these furry companions.

Ginny is survived by her husband, Daniel Mattson, whom she married May 31, 2003 at St. Christopher Church; her sisters, Mary C. DeRoche and Christine DeRoche; nieces, Kate DeRoche Lusczakoski, Krista Hickman; nephew, Josh Bryant; great-nieces and nephews, Keegan, Riley, Zachary, and Kirklyn; and extended family, the Jim and Michelle Stevens family, Taylor, Maddy, (the late Zachary), and Jace. Also surviving are her dear friends, Bonnie Lindberg and Bev Bolwerk; many friends at St. Chrisopher Parish and the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres; and her golden retriever, Makayla.

In addition to her parents, Ginny was preceded in death by her brother, Frederick DeRoche; and a nephew, Sean Knopf DeRoche.

Friends may call at St. Christopher Catholic Church on Friday, November 3, beginning at 10:00 am. The Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard will offer their tribute at 10:45 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am with Rev. Dan Moll, pastor, as celebrant. Entombment will be made at the Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum. A dessert reception will be served in the church fellowship hall.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com