Georgina Miller Bissell

Georgina Miller Bissell, age 99, of Greenville, Delaware, died at her home on June 3. Gina was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of Katharine Marie Tallman and Thomas Woodnutt Miller. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 47 years George P. Bissell, Jr., her daughter Beverly B. Sullivan, her brother Thomas L. Miller, and her son-in-law A. Michael Sullivan, Jr. Survivors include her daughter Lesley B. Hoopes, son-in-law Joseph C. Hoopes, Jr., grandchildren Joseph C. Hoopes, III and Elliott T. Hoopes, nephew Lloyd Miller, and several great and great great nieces and nephews. All who knew her will miss her big heart, her spirit of adventure and her kindness towards others. To know and to be loved by her was truly something special.

Gina attended the Francis Holland School in London and Tower Hill School in Wilmington. She graduated from Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut, where she served on their Board of Trustees and received the Alumni Award in 1999. It was there that Gina formed many of her lifelong friendships.

A consummate horticulturalist and enthusiastic gardener her entire life, Gina was President of the Garden Club of Wilmington, and national First Vice-President and President of the Garden Club of America. She served on the Boards of The Delaware Center for Horticulture, The Delaware Art Museum, The Delaware Antique Show, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Winterthur Museum, Church Farm School (Paoli, PA), and was a Regent of Gunston Hall Plantation. She was a founding member of The American Museum and Gardens in Bath, England. In recognition of her involvement in these, as well as other organizations, Gina was given the Lifetime Volunteer Award by the Brandywine Chapter of Fundraising Professionals in 2012. To many, she represented the foundation of philanthropy at a time when giving and volunteering was done simply to help one’s community. In addition to these volunteer commitments, Gina found the time to travel extensively savoring those adventures, which included hot air ballooning over France, salmon fishing in Iceland, cruising the Amazon, and dining aboard the royal yacht Britannia on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. She explored all seven continents with vigor and great curiosity.

Gina’s family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Stonegates, where Gina lived for 18 years. The family acknowledges with deep affection her devoted caregivers Lynn Brown, Teresa Brown, Elaine Conklin, Tammi Hammond, Lona Hinds-Boyer, Lois Jordan, Pam McGill, Cyrena Mallory, Terry Sales, Elaine Salter, Jewell Straker, June Tyler, Janelle Wills, and especially Minda Ang and Valerie Harris who were with Gina for 9 years. In addition, the family is grateful for Kevin Stouts and Athel Scott.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Trinity Episcopal Parish, 1108 North Adams Street in Wilmington. A reception will follow in the parish house.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in her memory be made to the Delaware Center for Horticulture, 1810 North DuPont Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. (www.thedch.org)

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Funeral Services

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Trinity Episcopal Parish, 1108 North Adams Street in Wilmington. A reception will follow in the parish house.

Condolences

Dave Freemann (The Hill School) writes,

The Hill School is saddened to learn of Mrs. Bissell’s passing. Mrs. Bissell was very fond of The Hill School and has created a legacy here through her generous support in honor of her late husband George Bissell Jr. ’36 that will continue to impact Hill’s teachers forever.

06/08/2020 02:32 pm

Heather Phillips lit a candle and writes,

I have worked at Stonegates for almost 19 years and I am so grateful for the time that you have shared your mother with me I was very fond of Gina she always called me by name. She will be missed by so many she was a wonderful woman. Prayers are with the family. Heather P

06/10/2020 12:51 am

Pauline K. Eversmann writes,

I was privileged to get to know Mrs. Bissell when I worked at Winterthur, especially on the Odessa Committee. She was always thoughtful and insightful but most of all, kind. I will always carry the memory of her beautiful smile. There is a bench dedicated to her and her husband on the overlook in the Winterthur garden...I love to sit there, look out of the landscape she loved, and remember her fondly.

06/10/2020 01:49 pm

Mark Rieger lit a candle and writes,

On behalf of the entire College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, I send condolences to the friends and family of Gina Bissell. She was a supporter of the University of Delaware Botanical Gardens, which impact so many of our students, faculty and staff, and we are grateful for her support over many years. May God bless and watch over you at this time. Mark Rieger Dean, Agriculture & Natural Resources

06/11/2020 06:07 pm

David Hannon lit a candle and writes,

For over two decades, Gina faithfully and generously supported Pine Point School in Stonington, CT. Her brother, Tommy, was one of our founders, and he served as president of our board of trustees when the School moved to its "new" location on Barnes Road. At the groundbreaking that took place on April 30, 1956, Tommy declared that the new building and campus would "ensure a great future for our school." How right he was! Clearly Gina was someone for whom loyalty and love were incredibly important. Her giving maintained her brother's legacy at Pine Point and her generosity sustained our school. We are grateful for her life, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all those who loved her and cherished working with her to make our world a more beautiful place.

06/21/2020 01:23 pm

Kasa L Cotugno writes,

Cousin Gina was an inspiration. Her curiosity and fearlessness allowed her to pursue challenges many others would balk at, and she never shied away from a challenge. She was my mother's, Marion Dunham Lowndes's (1919-2013), first cousin, and lifelong friend. Much love to Leslie and Toby and condolences for this loss.

06/23/2020 05:28 pm

Mary Ann Di Angelis lit a candle and writes,

I knew Gina for many years even before she moved to stonegates. She was a very pleasant and interesting woman. Her journey through life was awesome. I worked innthe stonegates beauty shop along with my colleague Jackie. I actually knew Gina when she used to come to CoiffureLtd in the Devon. My condolences to the Family.

07/02/2020 04:29 pm

Ann and Harry Walsh Kilmaine Co Mayo Eire F31 Y 759 writes,

Ann is a niece of the late Mary K Vahey. Mary and her late husband Tony(Anthony A ) Vahey were for many years in the employ of Mr and Mrs Bissell. Mary and Tony lived in Mt Airey Drive and on Tony’s death Mary returned to live in Ireland. Ann looked out for Mary in her later years and Mary very often shared her fond memories of the Bissells. They were exceptional employers and were very generous to Tony and then Mary in their retirement. We offer our sympathies to the Hoopes family and all of Mrs Bissells relatives. May she rest in peace.

06/08/2022 08:44 am

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