Virginia "Ginny" Harney

Ginny Harney passed away on August 1st, 2024, with her family by her side.

Ginny was born November 3rd, 1935, to Arthur and Alice Cayou in Bismarck, ND. She was raised in St. Paul and Duluth, where she graduated from Stanbrook Hall. She attended UMD. While attending UMD, she worked at and modeled for Oreck’s Department Store. She also met her future husband, Lawrence (Tim) Harney at UMD.

Ginny and Tim were married for 61 years until Tim’s death. They raised their 5 children in Woodland. Ginny was a dedicated hockey mom and active member of St. John’s Catholic Church for over 60 years. Ginny worked as a paraprofessional with students at the Human Development Center, Woodland Hills, and Northwoods Children’s Home before retiring.

She was a voracious reader with an encyclopedic memory. Despite not embracing technology, she learned how to download books from the Duluth Public Library and read multiple books a week. Shopping was her favorite form of exercise. She would spend Saturdays going from store to store with a break at Bridgeman’s.

Christmas was very important to Ginny, and she wanted to make it wonderful for everyone. Ginny would shop for about 25 people, gift wrap everything, and make piles by person in her living room on Christmas Day, in addition to making dinner for the group. She insisted this tradition continue after moving to an apartment and managed to host the extended family by putting tables in the hallway.

Ginny also loved spending time at their cabin on Sturgeon Lake. Ginny and Tim spent summers there when their kids were young and then spent long weekends until it was sold. At the lake they had a predictable dining route of restaurants for breakfast and dinner and were often joined by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ginny had many lifelong friends and treasured these friendships. She kept in touch and socialized with these dear friends through the years.

Ginny was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence (Tim) Harney; son, Daniel Harney; brothers, Thomas and James Cayou; sister, Julie Durban; and grandson, Garrett Fichtner.

She is survived by her sisters, Andrea Dahms and Angela (Wes) Glauner; children, Katie (Dick) Fichtner, Kevin (Mary) Harney, Tim (Stephanie) Harney, and Molly Harney; daughter-in-law, Heather Harney; grandchildren, Derek (Sarah) Fichtner, Brandon Fichtner, Jordan (Julia) Harney, J.T. (Tony) Quintero, Marijah Harney-Tolo, Mia Minkkinen, and Ian Harney; great-grandchildren, Ian Jensen-Fichtner, Ally Jensen-Fichtner, Dezaray Fichtner, Chase Fichtner, Trent Fichtner, Lucas Harney, and Kaylani Quintero.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 21st, at 11 am with visitation one hour prior at St. John’s Catholic Church (4230 St. John’s Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803).