Ginger Cordes (Miklausen), age 64, passed away on August 29, 2024 after suffering with cancer and the side effects of its treatment for over 13 years. Born on March 5, 1960, she lived a full, passionate life where she touched the hearts and lives of everyone she knew.

Born in Philadelphia, daughter to Steve and Odyllia Miklausen, Ginger moved with her family to Connersville, Indiana when she was 5, growing up in the midwest and spending her summers near the Jersey shore at her parents’ second home in Waretown, New Jersey. In 1978, she began attending the University of Notre Dame where she met her husband, Andy. After marrying in 1983, she lived in Palm Bay, Florida for ~5 years before moving to Raleigh, NC in 1987. While in Palm Bay, she became a mom to her firstborn son, Mikey, in 1985. After moving to Raleigh, she gave birth to her daughter, Jaime, in 1989.

While her children were in school, Ginger actively participated in their individual class activities and PTA organizations, performing puppet shows, publishing newsletters, supporting band fundraising efforts, and coaching Odyssey of the Mind teams. She was loved by everyone for her ability to personally connect with the students, teachers, and fellow parents. Her personality naturally established long-lasting relationships as both a friend and a teacher and inspired creativity inside and outside the classroom.

She worked in several accounting-related positions during her early career, but her most fulfilling and rewarding role was as local coordinator for several agencies responsible for placing and supervising foreign exchange students spending a school year in the US. She cherished this role for the last 18 years of her life and loved organizing experiences and developing friendships with the students. Scores of students from around the world have been positively influenced by her love and care.

Ginger is survived by her husband (Andy), son (Mikey), daughter (Jaime), sister (Pat), granddaughter (Persephone), and the 21 foreign exchange students from around the world whom she hosted in her home over the years. All will remember her vivacious spirit, sharp wit, and the warm embrace that touched everyone she met.

To celebrate Ginger's life, a gathering to share memories and greet the family will be held on October 19, 2024 from 2-4PM, at the Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the following organizations in memory of Ginger:

• Duke Cancer Institute - Head and Neck Cancer Research
• American Councils Foreign Student Exchange Programs - Participant Emergency Fund

While we are heartbroken by her loss, we are so relieved and glad that Ginger is now at peace and free of pain and suffering. We hope that the joyful memories of her will bring comfort to all who knew her. -The Cordes Family