Ginger Mae Avery died on Feb. 20, 2014. She was 32. The following was written by her sister.

Grief is a complicated matter, as evidenced by an obituary written seven and a half years too late. Ginger wasn’t always concerned about being on time for some else’s benefit, so we’ll call it even.

She was born in Virginia Beach on July 17, 1981 to Mary Raynor Avery of Fayetteville, N.C., and Richard Avery of Arlington. She was a combination of their most precocious qualities: sassy, clever, opinionated and she did exactly what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it.

As a child, Ginger was a loyal sister and many mornings, I woke up with her sleeping on the floor next to my bed. No explanation. If you have a sister, you know. She was generous even when she didn’t have much to give. She was empathic and if you are also an empath, you know how challenging it is to navigate life while negotiating the needs of self and the needs of others concurrently. She developed a quick wit and an easy sense of humor. Nothing was off limits. You have to appreciate that level of honesty, even if it’s at your own expense.

Ginger loved the Vineyard, chocolate, Billy Joel and wearing white (especially after Labor Day).

We were Camp Ground kids in the summer. We spent long days and late evenings with summer friends, creating art to sell around the Tabernacle, playing hide and seek, eating ice cream, and scratching mosquito bites until they bled. She had a deep affinity for the beach. We were mermaids back then.

Her greatest accomplishment was loving others fiercely. She adored her son Joseph above all others and made countless sacrifices to ensure his ability to thrive in the world. There are no words to describe how proud she would be of the young man he has become.

There’s a saying that you live on in the memories of others, so sharing about Ginger with you prolongs her presence a little longer. Even if you did not know her, you can honor her by taking impeccable care of your mental health. As the holidays are upon us, reach out to a loved one, a neighbor or an old friend. Preemptively plan to take time alone when you need it. Surround yourself with soul-affirming people. Do things you love.

Ginger is survived by everyone who loved her. Her spirit unquestionably is with the ocean, doing mermaid things, which is exactly what she would have wanted.