Virginia "Jini" Mae Gott

Virginia "Jini" Mae Gott, 87 of Traverse City passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 6, 2024. Jini was born in Towson, Maryland to Virginia and Bill Mackle. Her family moved to Indiana and later moved to Michigan. Jini attended MSU receiving her degree in Elementary Education; she taught grades fourth through sixth in Dearborn, Livonia, and Southfield. Jini settled in Birmingham, Michigan with her husband Dale, and they raised three lovely daughters: Sara, Kathy, and Julie. She was always so proud and loved her girls, enjoying fun trips to Cape Cod and California, watching Broadway Shows at the Fox Theater and Fisher Theater, attending school concerts, spending time together during the Holidays, swimming at Meadow Lake and supporting the annual high school swim meets. After her daughters were off to college, she retired from her job from an insurance company and moved to Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City. Jini spent several years volunteering with Inland Seas, TSO Association and forming lasting friendships as a member of the Friendly Garden Club and the Old Mission Women's Club. She loved gardening, kayaking, cross country skiing, attending local concerts and enjoying her two grandsons. After 15 years, Jini moved to Wisconsin to spend quality time with her other five grandchildren. Eight years later, it was time to return home to Traverse City, enjoy the beauty of the area, and be with friends and family. Jini had a zest for life, was adventurous, had a good memory and a sense of humor. She always made laughter a part of her day, even laughing at her own mistakes. As she often said, "You don't stop laughing when you're old. You grow old when you stop laughing.” Jini is preceded in death by her parents Virginia and Bill Mackle and Dale Gott. Jini is survived by her brother Larry (Sandy) Mackle, her daughters; Sara Burch, Kathy (Steve) Morse, and Julie (Kevin) Knott; her seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. Donations may be made in Jini's memory to: Cherryland Humane Society, Inland Seas, Fr. Fred Foundation, Safe Harbor, or Hospice. Visitation will be held for Jini on Thursday December 19, 2024, from 4-6pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday December 20, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with visitation at 10am and services at 11am. Please share your cherished memories of Jini with her family.

Virginia "Jini" Mae Gott

July 19, 1937 - December 6, 2024