Virginia (Ginny) Lee Crane

Virginia (Ginny) Lee Crane, widow of the Rev. John Alexie (Lex) Crane, died of pneumonia on January 23, 2016, just shy of her 93rd birthday. She died peacefully, surrounded by family, following a long life devoted to family, friends, service and travel.

Ginny was born in Elgin, IL on February 7, 1923 to Isaac Newton and Judith Beery Garber. She graduated from Elgin High School and attended Manchester College (Indiana) and Barnard College (NYC). She grew up in the Church of the Brethren, a pacifist faith that fled persecution in Europe and brought her ancestor, Nicholas Beery, to Philadelphia in 1727.

Ginny was married first to Stephen Blickenstaff. They had four children: Claire, Evan, Sarah (died 1953), and Eric. They lived in Falls Church,VA; New York City; Putney, VT; and Pittsburgh, PA; as Steve pursued a career in international education first at the U.S. State Department and later at the Experiment in International Living and the Carnegie Tech Indian Steel Training Program. In 1962, the family moved to India (the place of Steve’s birth and childhood) to continue his education work. They spent nearly five years there living in Ranchi, Bihar and Lucknow, U.P. while the children attended Woodstock boarding school in the Himalayas. In 1968 Ginny and Steve moved to Santa Barbara where Ginny became Executive Secretary of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (USSB). Their marriage ended in divorce.

In 1976 Ginny married Rev. John “Lex” Crane, minister of USSB, and became step-mother to Jack, David (died 2004) and Doug Crane. During their 39 years together, Ginny and Lex lived primarily in Santa Barbara, but also in Santa Monica, San Diego and Santa Paula (CA), Golden (CO), Boston (MA), Yakima and Tacoma (WA), and Chandler (AZ) following Lex’s various church ministries. In each location, Ginny was employed in UU-related administrative positions. In 2002 she and Lex moved to the Valle Verde retirement community.

Wherever Ginny lived, she was an avid volunteer and organizer in many liberal social causes. She cared particularly about ending war, promoting peace and justice, and the rights of minorities, women and children. Among her many activities, she provided housing for Hungarian refugees, and did organizational work for UNICEF. She worked with the League of Women Voters. In every election, she provided well-researched and appreciated voting recommendations for her family and friends. She also served the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, USSB Alliance, and the UU Seasoned Seekers. She and Lex were active in the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association. They shared their memorable Odyssey with UURMaPA Colleagues in April, 2008 at Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park, CA.

Ginny’s adventurous spirit led to a passion for travel. She traveled throughout India as well as Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Cuba. Ginny loved this life, making friends with people throughout the world, learning about their lives, history and customs and adapting easily to life in so many different communities and cultures. Her open-mindedness, organizing skills, good humor, quick wit, gentleness, and warmth endeared her to all who knew her.

Ginny is survived by her children Claire Beery (William Haigwood), Evan Blickenstaff, and Eric Blickenstaff (Cynthia Kasabian); step-sons Jack Crane, Douglas Crane (Lisa Babashoff), and step-daughters-in-law Betsy Wright and Brenda Crane. She is survived by grandchildren Willow Summer (Lew Summer), Mira Rosenthal (Greg Domber) and Zoë Leverant; John and Alex Blickenstaff; Molly Crane Tooley and Allie Crane Corrigan; Lailani Crane; Alex and Kirra Crane and great-grandchildren Tillie and Lulu Domber as well as a beloved niece and nephews.

In early August, 2015, Ginny lost Lex, the love of her life.

The family is grateful for the loving care of the staff at Valle Verde, especially The Grove, and to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care for their tender support.

Contributions in Ginny’s memory may be made to the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara,the UU Retired Minsters and Partners Assn, or the Valle Verde Fund, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (P.O. Box 3620, Santa Barbara CA 93130).

A memorial service was planned for March 20, at 3 pm, at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara.

Notes of remembrance may be sent to Ginny’s daughter, Claire Beery, 4440 Hillview Way, Rohnert Park, CA 94928.