Ginger Barbash
November 13, 1934, to November 21, 2025
Cameron Station lost a truly memorable neighbor with the passing of Ginger Barbash, a long-time resident who brought energy, style, and personality to our community.
Ginger was born in Puerto Rico, where she spent her childhood, and was fluent in both English and Spanish before moving stateside.
Although she worked professionally, Ginger was best known in her neighborhood as everyone’s “second mom.” Her late husband, Walter, brought soccer to Alexandria, and Ginger embraced her role as the community’s “First Lady of Soccer.”
She was known for her sense of style and her love of being out and about. With her best friend Suzanne often by her side, Ginger could be found shopping, attending movies, visiting craft shows, or enjoying music events. She was always part of the action.
After Walter’s passing, Ginger continued to pursue her love of travel, flying and cruising to destinations in the United States and abroad.
Ginger was truly one of a kind. Her playful and flirtatious personality made her unforgettable. In true Ginger fashion, when a neighbor greeted her with a birthday kiss on the cheek, she said, “Can’t you do better than that?”
She was not your typical grandmother. Ginger was in her 80s when she bought a PT Cruiser…a convertible. She had themed jewelry and outfits for every holiday and added vibrant streaks of pink, blue, and purple to her hair.
Ginger was no shrinking violet! She spoke her mind and lived life on her own terms. She even got a tattoo for her 70th birthday – a butterfly on her ankle. Ginger had forbidden all her children from getting tattoos. So they asked their mother why they could not get them, but she could. Ginger replied that she was an old lady and “damn well can do any ‘blankety blank’ thing I want!”
Ginger is survived by her three children, Prescott, Gretchen, and Sonny, and three grandchildren, Zoe, Christian, and Jason.
More than 60 people gathered at the Cameron Cafe to celebrate Ginger’s life. Friends shared stories, and others joined via Zoom from across the country. The PeaceMakers provided live music – songs that Ginger loved, including Ginger’s favorite, “La Bamba.” Guests enjoyed a lovely buffet provided by the family, and everyone was given a yellow rose, her favorite flower.
The theme of the celebration reflected Ginger perfectly: “Enjoy Life! I Did!”
Lenore Marema: After spending my whole life in Chicago, I got a job offer in DC that I couldn’t refuse. I was apprehensive, but on my flight to leave, Chicago was at ten below zero; I landed at sunny and 43 degrees and I never looked back. I moved into the friendliest neighborhood ever. I retired here and still love to go to Chicago — in the summer.
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