Ginny Ball: A Faithful Servant

By Tim Traeger, Senior Editor, Best of Whittier

It would be shortsighted to create a publication called “Best of Whittier” and exclude Virginia “Ginny” Ball.

The businesswoman and philanthropist has had her fingers in many of the pies that make Whittier a great place to live and work. The 83-year-old helped found and create Whittier First Day, a homeless shelter that has helped hundreds of people escape the streets. She has been on countless boards and commissions, helped found and create the Whittier Museum and has been a longtime volunteer serving on the board of the Whittier Historical Society.

She has led and shepherded countless young ladies through the Girl Scouts, Daisy and Brownies programs.

Born in Portland, the Stanford University Graduate has three daughters, 10 grandchildren, one great grandchild and recently helped throw a memorial party for the late Whittier matriarch Ruth B. Shannon.

Of the scads of organizations to which she belongs, does she have a favorite?

“No. But I only join what I enjoy,” Ball said over breakfast at California Grill & Bar.

Ball married Donald Ball and moved to Whittier in 1963. Since then she has taught biology, chemistry and physics at Lowell High School, managed the Quaker Maid Drive-Through Dairy in Cerritos and is the owner of Woodruff Properties which manages commercial and residential real estate properties in Whittier.

She is an avid supporter of youth sports, has coached and managed Little League teams and recently applauded the addition of new sports lighting at Murphy Ranch fields.

Her extensive civic resume includes being a team mother for nine AYSO soccer teams and three Murphy Ranch Little League teams and is past president of the PTA at many area schools including Ocean View Elementary, East Whittier Middle School, La Serna High School and has served as the council treasurer of 50 Whittier elementary, middle and high schools.

Ball is also past president of the Whittier Panhellenic Association, past president of the Delta Gamma Alumnae Association, a Patriot Award winner, is past president of Whittier Mothers of Twins and wrote a book on twins titled “Joy, Joy” that was presented to mothers of twins born at Whittier hospitals and in 1975 was named “Whittier Twin Mother of the Year.”

One of her greatest achievements was being the first woman in L.A. County to achieve the rank of Navigator in the U.S. Power Squadron.

After her husband Donald passed away in 1980, Ginny married his brother, Robert, six years later in 1986. Robert is often seen at Ball’s side helping with whatever community function comes about and the avid hiker does Trail Patrol in the Whittier Hills.

Asked what makes Whittier such a special place, Ball said “The people really care. I think it’s a wonderful place to raise children. There’s so much you can do. There’s sports for kids. My girls were involved in soccer and baseball. When I applied at Murphy Rance to be a baseball coach, they said, ‘you can be a team mother.’

Add team mother to her lengthy resume.

“I went to all the practices and everything,” Ball said, noting the City Council and City Manager Brian Saeki has made a commitment to youth sports by investing in new soccer fields and a Pickleball court at Parnell Park.

“Ginny always has the best interests of Whittier in her heart,” Mayor Joe Vinatieri said. “If there is one word that best describes her it is “faithful.” When she sees a person or situation that needs help, she is faithful to personally work through that situation or work with that person. She is a good, good friend and I can always count on her.”

A humble Ball deflected when told she was a community treasure.

“I depend on other people,” Ball said. “I have really good friends. I may organize things, but I have friends who will share.”

What motivates Ginny Ball?

“I just enjoy doing projects. I enjoy making things happen,” she said. “ I feel like I depend on my friends, so much.”