Virginia “Ginny” Stirling Wirthlin
August 11, 1941 - March 17, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Virginia (Ginny) Wirthlin on March 17, 2026. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Ginny’s life was a vibrant tapestry of adventure, love, laughter, music, and books.
Born on August 11, 1941, in Salt Lake City to Ethel Phillips Stirling and John Dunn Stirling, Ginny possessed both a kind heart and an adventurous soul. She was a member of the very first graduating class of Highland High School and became the first member of her extended family to attend college.
While studying at the University of Utah, where she earned a degree in history, Ginny’s daring nature was already on display. Before skiing became mainstream, she was on the slopes using wooden skis and leather bindings. In an era when such trips were rare and arduous, she also spent time traveling throughout Europe with a friend.
Ginny met Alvin Jacob Wirthlin on a blind date while both attended the U of U. On April 1, 1963, Alvin proposed to which Ginny cheekily responded, “Oh sure! April Fools!” That auspicious start led to a marriage and a family that became the center of her world.
While Alvin attended medical school, Ginny worked as an elementary school teacher. The couple lived in California, London, and St. Louis before returning to settle in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together, they raised five children: Jill, Wendy, Karin, Kristy, and Michael.
Ginny was a woman of “iron will” who never met an obstacle she couldn’t overcome. She co- founded a profitable book fair business with her sister, Marie English. She returned to teaching as a beloved librarian after completing her master’s degree in her fifties while continuing to work.
Even a decade after her retirement, former colleagues would approach her grandchildren to share how much she was loved. Beyond her career, she was a woman of many talents—she sewed Halloween costumes with aplomb, crafted beautiful quilts, and could sing every silly song ever written (making up the words if she forgot them).
In her later years, though dementia took much from her, it could not rob her of her loving heart or her joy in playing with her 10 grandchildren. She continued to touch everyone she met with her feisty nature and her sense of humor until the very end. The family wishes to thank The Ridge Cottonwood for their excellent care during Ginny’s last few months.
Ginny is survived by a large family who will miss her every day. She leaves behind a legacy of “making everyone she loved feel extraordinary”.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor (3651 S 900 E) in Salt Lake City on Wednesday March 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to park and enter on the north side of the building. The burial and graveside service will take place on March 26 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 11:00 AM
In Loving Memory
I am so sad to hear about this! I love this woman so much. Big part of my youth. I hope your family is doing OK, Jill I think about you from time to time and always hope that you’re doing great.
Ginny and I met in time to develop a precious lifelong friendship. We explored LA together with our young children and babies while at UCLA and kept in touch over the miles through our family raising years. We got together for girl trips after families were gone and our time was our own. We could always pick up our wonderful friendship whenever we had the opportunity. I love her and will miss her. The world will be less rich without her. Love to you children. You were her life. She admired each for who you became.
She was such a fun loving Aunt . Always there with a smile and ready to help you in any way she could. She was the aunt who cut up your meat for you when your were a child and made you feel like one of her own children. . So generous in every way. Very thoughtful and sweet. So adventurous and selfless. What a wonderful person, the love she shared will live on forever.
In Loving Memory
