Virginia Ann “Ginny” Fowler of Potomac, Md., died peacefully with her immediate family by her side on May 11, 2023. Her cause of death was respiratory failure attributable to a years-long affliction with frontotemporal degeneration. She was 65.
Ginny was born into modest circumstances in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1958, the youngest of four children, to Claude S. Fowler and the former Vicie J. Waskey. Ginny attended public primary and secondary schools and, through hard work, exceptional intelligence, and the guidance of an admiring mentor, Ginny worked her way through and graduated from Wellesley College in 1980 and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984.
After graduating from law school, Ginny practiced securities and corporate law for a large Wall Street law firm, first in New York and then in Washington, DC. She married her law school sweetheart, Peter M. Kimm Jr., of Potomac, in 1987, and together they had three sons. Desiring work-life balance and more time for family, Ginny left the law firm and joined the legal department of Freddie Mac in McLean, Va.
Peter died in an automobile accident in 1995, leaving Ginny to raise their three young sons, one in utero. Ginny retired from the practice of law thereafter and devoted herself to her children. Ginny married Matt E. Egger of Washington, DC, in 2001 and, the following year, Matt and Ginny welcomed a daughter.
Ginny’s priorities in life lay less with the law and her professional career and more with her children, her family, and her friends. She provided each of her children with a superb education, together with other learning and growth experiences. She worked tirelessly as a parent volunteer in their schools. She gave her children spiritual instruction through her church, and she successfully guided them into adulthood. Ginny also was dedicated to and supported her parents and siblings. With her engaging, outgoing personality and lively spirit, Ginny cultivated many long-lasting and close friendships with those she encountered throughout her professional career and her personal life.
Ginny thrived in the outdoors. She was an avid skier. She frequently visited the national parks. She hiked many miles with her friends on the C&O Canal towpath and the trails in Great Falls Park. She played tennis. She loved animals, particularly dogs and cats. She was a terrific cook and hostess. She supported the arts, particularly Shakespearian plays and Broadway musicals. Ginny led a very active — albeit too short — life.
Ginny led an exemplary life. Her strong character, her integrity, her intelligence, her moral compass, her modesty, and her work ethic were inspiring. Her engaging personality, her enthusiasm, her quick wit, her infectious humor, her storytelling, her positive outlook on life, her winsome smile, and her generosity touched everyone. Her warmth and love enriched the lives of all her friends and family members.
Sometime in or about 2014, Ginny began to exhibit changes in personality and behavior, first subtly and then, over time, more pronounced. In February 2019, Ginny was diagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration, an incurable, debilitating, and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease. Many persons with this horrible disease manifest symptoms of anger, agitation, and aggressiveness, but Ginny, true to her style, remained happy, easy-going and pleasant for the rest of her life. Joy and laughter were her hallmark greetings for family and friends.
Ginny is survived by her husband and four children: Brian Thomas Kimm of Rockville, Md., his wife, Veronica Jean Kresse Kimm, and their daughter, Avery Jean Kimm; Jeffrey Andrew Kimm of New York, NY; Matthew Peter Kimm of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Elizabeth Dora Egger, of Potomac. Ginny is also survived by myriad nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Ginny’s husband and children would like to thank the friends, family members, caregivers, medical personnel, and others who stood with and supported Ginny during these past four, difficult years, with particular thanks to caregivers Ms. Teresa Lopez and Ms. Rowena Tena. The contributions of time and services by all these persons had a significant, positive effect on Ginny’s well-being. The family very much appreciates these people and will never forget them.
Ginny’s family asks that, in lieu of flowers and other expressions of support, donations be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406. https://www.theaftd.org. Ginny’s family has not yet made arrangements to celebrate her life.