Passing Hope Forward in Ginny’s Honor

Ginny Kelley had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, loved, and welcomed. Her favorite expression — "God Love Ya, Hon" — was more than a saying. It was her way of blessing others and reminding them they mattered. After losing Ginny to breast cancer in 2004, our family experienced firsthand the power of community, compassion, and hope. Friends, neighbors, teachers, counselors, and countless others carried us through one of life's hardest seasons. Their kindness changed our lives.

In 2026, we established the Ginny Kelley "God Love Ya, Hon" Memorial Fund to pass that hope forward. Through the Minneapolis Foundation, the fund directs support to innovative schools and nonprofits — organizations on the front lines of helping children, adolescents, and families navigate mental health challenges, grief, loss, and adversity. The focus is on pilot programs that will use the grant funds to find sustainable, measurable solutions to provide support and skills to students in need.

All author proceeds from Magnolias in Winter go directly to the fund. If you feel called to give, additional gifts are warmly welcomed and fully tax-deductible. Every gift — large or small — carries Ginny's spirit forward. Our hope is simple: That every child and family facing a difficult season will know they are not alone. Because hope grows when it is shared. GLYH — God Love Ya, Hon.