Virginia Ann Crooks Gemmell passed mercifully in her sleep on the morning of January 6, 2025. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, the love of her life, James Christopher Gemmell whom she married on August 10, 1969.

Her loving family includes her siblings Edward and Cynthia Crooks of York, PA, James and Lydia Crooks of Clarion, Brian Crooks of Leesburg, VA, Nancy Crooks Hanna of Clarion, and Martha and David Selleck of Sewickley, PA.

Ginna was born on July 10, 1948, the first born child of Donald Eugene and Bernadette Mae Hugus Crooks of Clarion, PA. She graduated from Clarion-Limestone High School in 1966 and received her Baccalaureate degree from George Washington University, graduating with Honors from the Columbia College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in English Literature.

Following a brief period of work in Washington's Association World, she was appointed to a Presidential Commission, directing the Health and Child Development Division of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Seven years later she accepted an appointment as Director of New Product Research and Development at Fisher-Price Toys in East Aurora, NY (suburban Buffalo, NY). During her tenure she was instrumental in developing the Infant Crib Monitor which remains a staple of the Fisher Price product line.

In 1984 she accepted appointment with the Cambridge, Massachusetts based consulting firm of Synectics, Inc. where she facilitated corporate client New Product & Service Development, Product Naming, Team Building and Innovation Strategies. Within three years she was named a partner in the firm, traveling extensively throughout the US and Asia-PAC to Europe delivering consulting services.

In June 1990 she moved back to Washington, D.C., a city she loved. She launched the regional office of Synectics and, by 1995, launched her own consulting practice, GlidePath, Inc. In June 1996 she was appointed as the first Woman Outside Director to a Silicon Valley high tech firm, McAfee Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCAF). Three years later, in 1999, she was accepted as a Life Member of the National Registry of Who's Who.

She was an inveterate innovator who loved the "new-new thing." A year later she launched LavenderGreen.com, using her Pennsylvania farm to introduce people to the love of fragrant and culinary herbs, especially lavender. During her quarter-century of running LavenderGreen Farm, she employed more than 200 Keystone High School young women (and 6 men), using the opportunity to engage them in entrepreneurial consulting.

She will be sorely missed by her 18 nieces and nephews who formed the nucleus of her life and whom she loved dearly. She was thrilled with their maturation into successful professional careers and creating beautiful families of their own. In similar manner, her sisters and brothers were the backbone of her life, providing untiring support, love and encouragement. She, in turn, was the matriarch of the family and always encouraged each of her family members and many friends with vigor, confidence, and optimism.

It's hard to let go of someone who truly loves you. Rest in Peace, our sweet beautiful Ginna.

A memorial service is being planned for July 10th 2025, on Ginna's Birthday.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home in Clarion.

Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.