Virginia Gravatt Peterson Blauvelt “Ginny” was the first of four daughters born to Harold and Marjorie Gravatt on October 5, 1940 and she died on May 12, 2024 at home in Shelton. She spent her childhood at Lake Quinault. She married Gary “Pete” Peterson with whom she had four children. She and Pete divorced; later she married Dick Blauvelt and they had one son. Ginny and Dick spent 20 years living in Alaska, primarily on the Kenai Peninsula and Thorne Bay, Prince of Wales Island, where Ginny continued her lifelong working in mills and with wood products, sometimes specializing in what she called “music wood,” making guitar soundboards.

In 2010 after Dick’s death, Virginia moved to Shelton to live with her daughter Dorothy Jane. Later her daughter Tracey moved there too and Ginny enjoyed the conscientious care she received from them.

Ginny is survived by her 5 children: Dorothy Jane and Tracey Peterson of Shelton, Gary Robin and Harold Peterson (Patty) of Tacoma and Walt Blauvelt (Brandi) of Anchor Point, Alaska. She is survived by 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Ginny is also survived by her 3 sisters, Jane Fishel (Dale), Carolyn Bowles and Marnie Schumacher (John.) She is also survived by a dear friend and helper, Idy Almos.

From a young age Ginny loved animals, especially horses and dogs and had cats named Marmalade and Napa, who she found at an auto parts store. While living in Alaska she taught herself to knit and also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles.

There will be a private family celebration of Virginia’s life later in the summer.