GINGER HIRT March 22, 1944 – May 25, 2021

Ginger Hirt passed away peacefully in her home Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Ginger was born March 22, 1944, to Arnie and Rose Warren in Osage, Iowa, where she grew up with her sister Liz (Mooberry). 

She graduated from Luther College with a degree in Music Education. After graduation, she was determined to find adventure far beyond the small towns of Iowa. A teacher recruitment fair offered her a job teaching elementary music in Los Alamos and she jumped at the opportunity.

It was at a singles party in Los Alamos that she met Tony Hirt. She knew the first time they met that they would get married even if, as she liked to tell it, Tony didn’t laugh at her jokes. They were married for almost 53 years and had two daughters, Heather and Amber.

In addition to teaching music at several schools in Los Alamos, Ginger graced the stage in many memorable roles for both Los Alamos Light Opera and Little Theatre. She was also an organist at the United Church of Los Alamos, where she especially enjoyed playing for holiday services and special events so long as the congregation could keep up with her exuberant tempo.

Ginger was also the owner of the popular consignment clothing store, The Central Exchange for several years, in addition to being a secretary at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and a guide at the Bradbury Science Museum. She was also a talented writer who wrote children’s stories for her grandkids, scripted a middle school musical, and wrote and published a murder mystery, “The Preacher’s Wife Drinks a Little”. Her creativity extended throughout all areas of her life. She regularly organized memorable birthday parties for her daughters and created one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes for them each year.  

Perhaps Ginger will best be remembered not for her own accomplishments, but for the unique way she related to other people. She strongly believed that people may not remember what you said or what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. She would regularly become “best friends” with the waiter or waitress of the restaurant she was visiting, or the person sitting next to her on the airplane.

People were drawn to her and often shared their life stories within a few moments of meeting her. It was not uncommon for her to invite complete strangers to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner – invitations that were often accepted. She hosted impromptu dinner parties that no one wanted to leave, and had the talent to turn every-day conversations into meaningful exchanges.

She was like a second mother to many kids and was always a friend to those who needed one the most. She knew how to really listen and knew all the right questions to ask. She offered bits of advice, words of encouragement and pearls of wisdom to just about everyone she met. 

Ginger is survived by her husband Tony, her daughters Heather, Amber, and son-in-law Rob, grandchildren Betsie, Charlie, AJ and Evan, as well as numerous friends and “best friends” she had yet to meet.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice or simply enjoy spending time with your family and friends.