Tragic Loss of a Beloved Mother and Advocate
A loving mother of seven, who was battling a rare form of cancer, tragically died after being struck by a freight train during a bike ride in Illinois. Virginia Girmscheid, known to her family as Ginny, set out on her bike around 8pm on June 9 in Grayslake, an hour outside of Chicago, when she was hit at a railroad crossing. Her family shared the news with CBS News, highlighting the heartbreaking incident.
A bystander called 911 to report the accident, and emergency personnel responded to the scene where Ginny was pronounced dead by the Grayslake Police Department. The circumstances surrounding the fatal accident remain unclear, but there are nearby pedestrian gates and signs that read ‘No train horn’, according to CBS News.
Metra, the state’s transit system, is currently investigating the incident. Ginny, 60, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer last year and faced it like ‘a warrior’, her husband Tim Girmscheid told the outlet. They were married for 39 years, and he shared that Ginny found solace in riding her bike during the challenging time.
‘She battled like a warrior through six months of chemo and was winning the battle,’ her heartbroken husband said. He added: ‘These days, bike rides were more of a peaceful getaway and the motion was good for her.’
Tim mentioned that he and his family don’t blame anyone for the accident, but some locals have been questioning what happened. ‘It’s a concern that I don’t think that we really want to think through right now. It’s a concern that has been raised by others in the community,’ he told CBS News.
For now, Ginny’s grieving family is focused on leaning into their faith while they process their loss. Tim said: ‘When you go through such deep, deep gut-wrenching fetal-position grief, that we are going through that, we have to realize that it’s not even one day at a time, it’s one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one moment at a time.’
Ginny has been remembered as a beloved mother to her children, a grandmother, and an aunt to her nieces and nephews, her obituary read. She was born in Highland Park and studied accounting at the University of Illinois.
A Life of Service and Joy
According to Metra, the woman riding a bike was hit by a CN freight train near Lake Street and Hillside Avenue just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9. For video licensing inquiries, contact: [email protected]
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Ginny went on to work for several non-profit organizations, including Stepping Stones Network, where she served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) up until her death. The organization focuses on helping adults and children who have been impacted by sex trafficking or exploitation, according to the company’s website.
‘Ginny lived a life of self-sacrifice, emanating joy amidst all circumstances. She loves people fiercely, never passing up the opportunity to encourage each person she met with God’s love and truth,’ her obituary detailed.
Celebration of Life and Legacy
A celebration of life for Ginny is scheduled for Tuesday. A church service is set for 4pm, with the event to follow at 5pm. Her family asked attendees to wear colorful clothes as a way ‘to reflect the joy of Ginny’s life’. In lieu of flowers, they have asked for people to donate to the charities Compassion International and Samaritan’s Purse, according to her obituary.
A spokesperson told the Daily Mail there are no updates in the investigation at this time. The Daily Mail reached out to the Grayslake Police Department for comment.
