Virginia "Ginger" M. Lasko - Obituary

Virginia “Ginger” Mary Lemanski Lasko passed away peacefully on 18 January 2025 at home surrounded by her family. Born on 16 October 1937 in New Britain, CT to the late Joe and Mary Lemanski, Ginger was soon joined by her brother, Joseph and the family remained in New Britain surrounded by an extended Polish family. She excelled in school, was a member of the New Britain Fife and Drum Corps and spent winters skating at Stanley Quarter Park. After graduating from the Yale/Grace-New Haven School of Nursing, Ginger was working as a nurse when she met and married Ensign Paul Lasko. He whisked her away to Norfolk, VA where she began the next chapter of her life as a Navy wife, part-time nurse, gracious hostess, master party planner and devoted mother to Jennifer. Ginger quickly adjusted to Navy life — duty days, deployments, and lengthy separations, which include a year when Paul was in Vietnam. Ginger traveled the world over as the family moved to Honolulu, HI, Monterey, CA, Arlington, VA, Moscow, USSR and Virginia Beach, VA. Ginger executed each move with military precision and always made each place feel like home. She supported the family throughout the many moves, taking on varied positions such as Embassy Nurse and part-time veterinarian in Moscow, Dermatology Nurse, School Nurse, and substitute Teacher whenever needed. In addition, Ginger always found time to volunteer at Jennifer’s schools, lending her talents as Camp Fire Girl troop leader or expert seamstress for school performances. Following Paul’s retirement from the Navy in 1985, they settled in Davidsonville, MD, where Ginger continued to support Paul in his second career at Westinghouse/Northrop Grumman. She continued her gardening, raising everything from peppers to plumerias, tailgating with her world-famous apple pie at Navy home football games and most importantly, supporting her two grandchildren who moved across the street. She continued her love of travel with Paul, visiting Norway, England, France, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Spain, Italy, Bermuda, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Hong Kong. Ginger will be remembered by the many dear friends she touched along the way for her caring and considerate heart as well as her magnetic smile and radiant personality. In addition to her parents, Ginger was preceded in death by her sisters-in-law, Eleanor Lemanski and Janice King. She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul; her daughter, Jennifer (James Allen) Lasko; her brother, Joseph Lemanski; her sister-in-law, Karen Arledge and her beloved grandchildren who will miss her dearly, Nicholas Lasko Allen and Genevieve Cathryn Allen. Friends are invited to celebrate Ginger’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, January 28 from 3 to 5 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD on Wednesday, January 29 at 11 am. A luncheon at the church will follow Mass. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County (by mail: P.O. Box 3471, Annapolis, MD 21403 or online here). Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.