Gungor “Ginger” Rivera passed away peacefully in her home on February 8, 2022 at the age of 85, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Ginger was born and raised in Turkey. She met her husband, Tony in Turkey many years ago when Tony was stationed there in the U.S. Army. The rest was history as they say, a true love story. When Tony received orders to the United States, Ginger and Tony made their home in New Jersey and then Virginia where they finally settled in Virginia Beach and raised their daughter, Ayda. Ginger was a dedicated employee of Leggett, Belk and Dillards Department stores. Her career spanned more than 30 years having retired at age 72. She was the men’s Polo department manager and always kept up with the latest fashion trends, not to mention keeping the men in her life well dressed. Ginger was very sociable and loved to talk about her native Turkey. Whenever she was expecting visitors at her home, she would have a full meal prepared for her visitors. Mrs. Rivera will always be remembered as a loving grandmother and great grandmother and friend.
Left to cherish her memory is: her loving granddaughter, Alexandra Winston, and husband Cody; great-granddaughter, Coraline Winston and grandson, Daniel Chappell; two very special friends that she affectionately referred to as her son and daughter, Michael Carey and Nurdan Karaoz. She will also be sorely missed by Nurdan’s husband Hussien, and son, John. Ginger had a host of friends, many from Turkey who were special to her. She was predeceased by her husband, Antonio A. Rivera, and her daughter Ayda Chappell.
A debt of gratitude goes out to her caregivers, Liza Dayawan, Myleen Eusebio, Lenita Washington, Ronalyn Toledo, Helen Campbell and Arlyn Lewallen. Kindred Hospice nurses and case manager Martina Lewis-Thomas.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00am, Monday, February 14th, 2022 at Colonial Grove Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to The Virginia Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association in memory of Mrs. Rivera at https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/virginia/
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Graveside Service
Colonial Grove Memorial Park
3445 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
February 14, 2022
11:00am
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with your grandmother for many years at Leggett. I loved her laugh and her stories. What a dear lady.
I am very sorry to hear Gungor’s passing. She was a great lady and a wonderful friend. We the Turkish Ladies of Hampton Roads will miss her dearly. My condolences to her family. Rest in pease my friend.
God bless you and the memories we shared together at Leggett. Blessings to your family and our sympathy.
CM and Barbara Murff
I am truly sorry for your loss. I was lucky to have worked with your Grandmother for 15 years at Leggett. She always had a smile on her face and she kept the Men’s Dept. in tip top shape and a lot of men well dressed in the Tidewater Virginia Area. Anyone who ever met Ginger came away with a bit of history that they will always treasure.
Janet Ramsey
Worked with Gungor for the last few years of her life – – physical therapy. Came to love her and to enjoy our therapy sessions. What a precious lady! She will be so missed.