Virginia "Ginny" Juhnke 

September 21, 1949  -  October 5, 2025 

Ginny Juhnke’s quest for a new hip led to the discovery of colorectal cancer and, two months after starting treatment, she passed peacefully, surrounded by family, in Santa Rosa, California. 

Known for her adventurous spirit and fierce independence, Ginny was the oldest of four siblings who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago.  Early train trips with her mother to the big city’s grand movie theaters seeded a love of the arts that lasted throughout her 76 years.

After graduating from St. Norberts College near Green Bay, she took jobs in Chicago at an art gallery and an advertising agency, where she worked with filmmaker John Hughes. She then headed for San Francisco in 1977, and never looked back. 

Signing on with Atari, the Silicon Valley innovator of the time, Ginny globetrotted to help launch the company’s creations, and later utilized her communication skills for Pac Bell in San Francisco.  In 1990 she joined The Sharper Image, where she eventually became the personal assistant to the founder, and later continued as his trusted advisor at RichardSolo, where she was working to the very end.

In San Francisco, Ginny’s love of the arts truly blossomed. A die-hard film buff, she not only was an annual subscriber to the San Francisco and Mill Valley Film Festivals, but the months before each Academy Awards became a scheduling nightmare for her as she raced around the Bay Area to make sure she had seen not only all the nominated feature films, but the documentaries and shorts as well.  This was especially tricky because she also needed to hit every theatre production in the Bay Area.  And, if it was a Stephen Sondheim show, she might have to see it twice!

Her love of opera and ballet led Ginny to volunteer as a War Memorial Opera House usher for almost two decades. And her support of the major museums in the area never flagged. Not only did Ginny appreciate and support a wide variety of the arts, she shared her passion with the next generation by treating her beloved nieces and nephews to many live performances, forever cementing her legacy with them as Art Docent of San Francisco. 

International travel, including sailing adventures in the Caribbean, as well as regular visits to Yosemite and the Adirondacks, spoke to Ginny’s love of nature, family, friends and fun.  She was a consummate hostess and a lively, entertaining guest who enriched the lives of all who were lucky enough to cross her path. 

A gathering to honor and celebrate Ginny will be held in Santa Rosa on Saturday, November 15, from 12:00 – 5:00. Please contact <ushers@sfopera.com> for more information.    

This remembrance was submitted by Jane Taber,  a friend of Ginny's and fellow usher.

Posted here November 8, 2025