Virginia "Ginny" Carol Colgan

Virginia “Ginny” Carol Colgan, 74, of Sandwich, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 2, 2021. Ginny was born on August 25, 1947 in Rockford, IL to Morgan and Marge (Carlson) Coonradt. She attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois where she met Philip Colgan on a blind date. They were married one week after graduation in 1969. Ginny majored in secondary education and started her career as a business teacher at Richwoods High School and taught at the alternative school in Peoria. 

Her dreams of starting a family proved difficult, so Ginny and Phil began researching adoption. Kelly was adopted in 1980 and Erin was adopted in 1984 through Catholic Social Services in Peoria. Ginny took time off from her teaching career to raise her daughters. 

When she felt her daughters were old enough, she took on a part-time job as the coordinator of the CCD program at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sandwich. During this time, the kids remember fondly (Erin), and not so fondly (Kelly), of having meatloaf for dinner every Wednesday, since it was quick and easy and mom would be working. Years later, Ginny took on a full-time job as a bookkeeper for the Sandwich School District. Before retiring, she taught Office Careers at Indian Valley Vocational Center.  

Ginny spent her entire life spoiling her family and grandchildren. She was never practical; she thought with her heart and she was a giver. Ginny showed her love through cooking, sewing, shopping and scrapbooking. Ginny had two happy places on the water: the family cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin and riverboat casinos. 

Ginny was a devoted member of Women of the Moose and served on their board. She was a volunteer each year at the Sandwich Fair. Ginny and Phil were affiliated with the Fox Valley Older Adults and delivered Meals on Wheels to those in need. 

Ginny  is survived by her husband, Philip Colgan; 2 children, Kelly (Josh) Gschwend of Lake in the Hills, Illinois and Erin (Nicholas) Rott of Yorkville, IL; 2 grandchildren, Ethan and Hannah; as well as 1 sister, Patricia (Jerry) Schneiderman of Freeport, IL and many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021 from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry Street Sandwich, IL 60548. Celebration of life will be held at 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home followed by a luncheon at Cedardell Golf Course. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com