"Memories of Gina" by Ron’s sister, Rosalie Lynn As Gina’s “California Aunt,” I have flashing memories: Of chestnut-colored hair, Of dancing dark-brown eyes that sometimes turned black Of a slight Minnesota accent, Of a sly smile, Of a laugh that was also a giggle, Of a young girl, poised and self-assured, Of Gina sitting on Grandpa Anderson’s favorite horse John, Both sets of her grandparents lived in Yakima, Washington. They loved Gina and Evan’s visits. I see the barren hills behind our home where we’d take family walks, Gina running ahead, excited to see what was around the next bush. Evan, I see your look of amazement and admiration When Gina easily did what you were trying to do. For most of Gina’s life I was living in California, off her beaten path, So for most of her life, visits were infrequent. However, I was able to attend her Harvard graduation. Oh how proud we were of her! And while Harvard’s undergraduate regalia was drab (like all universities) The professors’ crimson robes symbolized an accomplishment of what I could only dream. She seemed so happy, a life of promise ahead. The longest time we spent together was in 2001, When Gina, Evan, Ron & Nancy, Grace (my daughter) & I went to Shanghai for An exhibit of Gina’s great-grandfather’s photographs of China taken in the early 20th century. On the trip I experienced first-hand her calm under pressure, Her aptitude for solving problems, and Her deep curiosity for discovering what other cultures have to offer. My clearest memories of Gina are from her visits during my mother’s final years. Gina’s visits made Mother happy for weeks. Before Gina’s arrival, Mother planned for how they would spend time together. During her visits, a smile never left Mother’s face. And afterward, Mother recalled and reflected on their conversations. Throughout any given year, Gina sent cards and letters, detailing things about her practice, Things she knew Mother would be interested in. Often Mother marveled, “How does Gina have the time to write such nice, long letters?” As you know, Gina wanted to make her life count. She gave her time and energy for the betterment of women in America, And she gave it personally, one woman at a time. Gina’s concern for women extended globally. In 2003, Mother sent Gina an article from our local paper, An article syndicated by the NY Times which featured Dr. Catherine Hamlin, An Australian gynecologist who gave a lifetime of service to Ethiopian women. Ethiopia is where in 1945, Gina’s grandfather Dr. Merlin Anderson moved our family. After reading the article, Gina sent Mother the book, A Hospital by the River, The story of Dr. Hamlin & her husband establishing the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, A hospital not far from where Gina’s Uncle Dr. Merlin Anderson practiced medicine in the 1960’s. Gina wanted to visit the Fistula Hospital in 2004, but circumstances prevented it. Even so, through the Fistula Foundation, Gina gave financially to the women of the globe. So now as we pay Gina our respect and admiration, As we share our grief of a love that ended too soon, I want to say in the words of an old Irish anti-war song, “A doleful family I heard cry, O Gina, we hardly knew ye.”