Virginia Palen

Virginia "Ginger" (Stavale) Palen age 76, of Oviedo, Florida passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Ginger was born in Orange, New Jersey on August 24, 1947.

Ginger attended Livingston High School graduating in 1966. This is where she met the love of her life, her High School sweetheart, Gregory Webb Palen. They married shortly thereafter on August 6, 1967. They set up their first home in Rockaway, New Jersey, welcoming their son, Gregory Robert in 1969 and their daughter Stephanie Ann in 1972.

The family briefly moved to Casselberry, Florida before returning to Lake Rogerene, New Jersey. It was here that Ginger and a friend owned and operated a record shop named Joyful Noise Records in Dover, New Jersey for a few years. She also perused her license as a Realtor and worked for Weichert Reality in New Jersey for many years.

Ginger was the Cub Scout Den Mother for her son and local boys of Pack 162, Den 2. She was well suited for this position of leading, as she had a quiet command of youngsters that she practiced in various setting including being a Youth Leader at Lakeland First Church of the Nazarene in Denville, New Jersey. It was in this Youth Leader position that she conducted Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday youth groups, leading many during their teenage years to understand how Jesus was and always would be relevant in their lives.

She was a Summer Camp Counselor at Camp Taconic in Red Hook, New York guiding a wider geographical group of young adults. She was affectionately nicknamed "Mildred" by the youth she spent these memorable summer months with. Many of these teenagers (now adults) still remember the lessons she taught all those years ago and the way she so readily made Jesus the center of everyday life.

In 1994 Ginger and Greg moved to Oviedo, Florida to be closer to her family. She took a job as a realtor at Prudential Florida and then made the move to Engle Homes, selling new homes throughout the surrounding towns. She was known for her friendly demeanor as she guided families through the process of building their new homes.

Each of Ginger's children made the move to Florida with their spouses and they each brought Grandchildren and eventually Great Grandchildren into the family. Second only to her love of Jesus, was Ginger's love of her family. She continued to bring her faith and its relatable relevance into her family's lives in everyday interactions and in family Bible studies. She was a prayer warrior and would ask to pray with each person during difficult times and in praise. This is her enduring fingerprint on the hearts of those she loved.

Ginger is survived by her loving husband Greg, her son Gregory, his wife Diana, grand children Kendra and Madison, and great grandchild Phoenix Palen, her grandchild Elijah Hockman, great grandchild Ezra, grandchild Casey, her husband Aidan Dailey, her siblings Anthony "Tony", his wife Janet, niece Mary Beth Stavale, her niece Emily, her husband Andrew, and their child Caleb Marratta, her sister Penny, her husband Vincent "Vinny" Fehr, niece Kristine, her husband David, and their child Lucas Tran, and many other family members in various towns and states whom she loved.

Ginger joins in Heaven with her loving Mother Virginia "Ginny", Father Alexander "Alex" Stavale, her daughter Stephanie, her brother Wayne, his wife Nancy Stavale, and all of the many family who were waiting to embrace her as she stepped out of time in to eternity to forever be in the presence of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We are certain of this and look forward to the time we can be all together forever.

Ginger will be in our hearts always.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Newcomer Longwood located at 335 East State Road 434 Longwood, Florida 32750 from 10:00am to 12:00 noon.