It is with the deepest sorrow we announce the passing of Virginia 'Ginny" Leslie Hamilton, a truly remarkable woman who touched the lives of so many.  Ginny peacefully left us to return to her heavenly home on December 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and knowing she was loved and cherished by those who couldn't be there. Her granddaughter, Bryanna, lovingly cared for her until she passed.

Ginny was born in Ontonagon, MI on September 26, 1944, to Ora & Lois Leslie.  She graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1962.  She left Ontonagon to attend college and earned her degree in accounting; she started a career in mortgage banking and continued until her retirement in 2015.

Her future husband, Tom Hamilton, was also from Ontonagon and they returned to be married in their hometown in 1963.  Her and Tom were married for 58 years, until his passing in 2022.  They had 2 loving children: Lisa and Bryan. Lisa was born in Chicago, and Bryan was born in Milwaukee.  The family then moved to Florida where Ginny continued her banking career, and this is where they raised their family in the sunshine.  After continuing her career in Virginia, Tom retired, and they were able to move back to Ontonagon where Ginny continued to work remotely until her well-deserved retirement.

Ginny was a gentle soul who lived a life full of love, kindness, and cooking.  She adored cooking for others and would feed anyone that came to her home.  She always made special dinners for those she loved, and she would cook any favorite meal that was requested.  Ginny loved baking and loved to try new recipes from magazines, ones she found in her vast collection of cookbooks, or ones she heard on the Jan Tucker show.

Ginny had many childhood friends that remained in her life, and she loved going on outings to the Ontonagon Theater every chance they had.  She enjoyed skiing the Porkies as a child, music concerts and festivals, she enjoyed rooting for the Green Bay Packers, and she loved hiking, sight-seeing, pontooning the Ontonagon River, bonfires on the beach, and many other outdoor activities.  She loved cruises, and the Bahamas was a favorite destination.  She'd gone parasailing and enjoyed the water her entire life.  Ginny's warmth and generosity was evident, shopping was also a favorite activity, and she would shop for her loved ones all year long; if someone mentioned a particular item they liked or needed, Ginny would secretly go ahead and buy it and put it up for a birthday or Christmas.  Ginny had a love for her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids that was unwavering and her most prized part of life was spending time with them.

Ginny was also a lover of animals and had many pets throughout her lifetime.  She cared for them and loved them with a heart of gold.  Her kids jokingly said if they get reincarnated, they want to come back as one of her pets. At one time she had 2 dogs that would bicker like siblings when in the backseat during a trip so Ginny bought an RV so the dogs could have more room to themselves and eliminate the bickering. Her love of animals was also evident when she moved back to Ontonagon and immediately took in a rescued cat from OCAP named Jasmine that soon would become her best friend and faithful companion.

Ginny was predeceased by her husband Tom, her parents, 2 brothers Howard Leslie, and Homer Leslie, her beloved Aunt Creta and Uncle Max Bay, and her best friend of 60 years, Tish Kosey.  She is survived by her children, Lisa and Bryan (Donna); grandchildren Amanda, Zackary, Bryan, Katelynne, Cory, and Bryanna; great-grandchildren Mikayla, Tommy, Keenan, Ensley, Kiara, Lyla, Natalie, Makayla, Payton, and Finley.

Although Ginny's light may no longer grace our lives, may her memory be a blessing to us all and may we carry forth her love of spending time with family, her gentle nature with animals, her love of music, and her radiant smile whenever she had a chance to be in nature.  Never wish away your days waiting, just get out and enjoy every single day.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation in Ginny's memory to things close to her heart; OCAP, The Ontonagon Theater, or The Porcupine Mountains.

A graveside celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Riverside Cemetery at 11AM.  A luncheon will follow at Hamilton's Marina on the Island.

Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

OCAP
19504 State Hwy M-38, Ontonagon MI 49953
Tel: 1-906-884-2500

The Ontonagon Theater
PO Box 73, Ontonagon MI 49953