Obituary
Virginia Louise Petter Fleming born September 4th, 1940, in Greenville, Texas, died peacefully in her sleep in Bonita Springs, Florida, on April 7th, 2025. Mrs. Fleming, Ginny, is formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, and Sanibel Island, Florida. She is survived by her son David (Donna) Fleming of Sanibel Island, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois, her daughter Lisa Turner of Fort Myers, Florida, her grandchildren Kristen (Connor) Bagley of Fort Myers, Florida, Ty Turner of Sarasota, Florida, Trey (Kelsey)Turner of Satellite Beach, Florida, Grace (Roscoe) Pearce of Raleigh, North Carolina, Will Fleming of New York, New York, Samuel Turner of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Tori (Daniel) Childers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Margaret Fleming of New York, New York, Brooke and Brycie Turner both of Fort Myers, Florida, her great-grandchildren Holdyn, Arden and Emerson Turner of Satellite Beach, Florida, Wendy and Darcy Childers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Colt Pearce of Raleigh, North Carolina, and beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents William James Havergal Petter and Miriam Tritsch Petter of St. Louis, Missouri, her sister Margaret Cardwell of Sarasota, Florida, and grandson Jonathan James Havergal Turner of Fort Myers, Florida. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ginny was a dedicated community servant throughout her life in St. Louis and Sanibel. A consummate organizer, hostess and fundraiser, she worked in support of many organizations including Sanibel Community Church, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and the Community Foundation of Sanibel & Captiva. Through her support of Lee County Health Foundation, she was part of the founding group SanCap Cares devoted to bringing world-class pediatric care to local children. She supported the Author Series at the Sanibel Public Library and regularly volunteered with her dog Bess for a children’s reading program.
Ginny played the piano and enjoyed music ranging from classical to jazz to Broadway show tunes. Her love and passion for the arts fueled her support for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Old Schoolhouse Theater Foundation, the Gulfshore Ballet, and the Gulf Coast Symphony. Whether hosting parties or housing visiting musicians, she graciously celebrated the arts and artists alike.
For her leadership and volunteer dedication, Ginny was honored in 1999 with the Jean Wigley Community Angel Award. In 2001, she was named Sanibel Island Citizen of the Year.
In her happiest role, Ginny was a devoted mother and grandmother. A master in the kitchen, she hosted her family for fabulous holiday celebrations. Sleepovers for the grandchildren were filled with card games, puzzles, classic movies and pints of ice cream. And she shared her love for travel with her grandchildren by taking each of them on an international trip of their choosing, from the glaciers of Alaska to the pyramids of Egypt.
A private celebration of life is planned for the family at a future date. Contributions may be made in her memory to SanCap Cares in support of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida or Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church on Sanibel.
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