Gina (Virginia) Ann Shumate was born to Anna Marie Castro and John Reese Castro in May 12th, 1953. She grew up in Santa Clara, CA and went to Buchser High School. Gina married James J Shumate, Jr on August 5th 1972. They had two sons, Joshua Mark and John Reese. In 1985 they moved from the Santa Clara area to Rescue in western El Dorado County near Placerville. In 2000 they purchased 10 Acres about 7 miles west south west of Placerville, in the town of El Dorado. In March of 2003, Gina was Diagnosed with Leukemia and on November 9th, 2003 Gina passes away.
Above is the dry details, but any one who met Gina would not remember her in those terms. Gina loved many people and was a very lively person. Her car displayed her thoughts to the world "EVE WAS FRAMED", "BE YOUR OWN GODDESS", "I BELIEVE IN DRAGONS, GOOD MEN AND OTHER FANTASY CREATURES", "OF ALL THE THINGS I'VE LOST I MISS MY MIND THE MOST", "MEN ARE IDIOTS AND MY HUSBAND IS THEIR KING", and "STAMP OUT FLATLANDERS". It was what she wanted them to think was her attitude.
Gina was a Licensed Psychiatric Technician working as a charge nurse with development and physically challenged individuals living in a residential care facility. Gina treated these people as her children and friends. She visited them one Easter dressed as a bunny with her natural children as helpers to pass out eggs. One year the only Christmas gift some of them received was a cheap pair of socks and a candy cane, when her family went with her to play Santa.
Gina loved to play in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with her sons. She was the cast mom. She mothered many of the cast through cast and life problems.
Gina lives in the hearts of the people she touched. In memory of Gina hug your loved ones, forgive them, patch up silly spats and ask for them to forgive you. Hug them often and tell them how deeply you love them. In this way Gina's love and memory will live through you and yours. |
