06/25/2024
Gina Yvonne Ames passed away yesterday, Monday, June 24, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was a very loving wife, mother, aunt, great-aunt, and friend.
Born Gina Yvonne Jansingh ("Yvonne") in Zwolle, The Netherlands, she immigrated to the United States with her parents, Alida and John Jansingh, in 1952. The family resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thereafter, sister Joann Mosher and brother Harry Jansingh were born. Yvonne left home in 1968 and attended Michigan State University. She graduated with a bachelor of science in Criminal Justice in 1972.
She attended police academy in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she met her future husband, Leland ("Lee") Ames. One of the first two female police officers in the State of Missouri, she served with the Saint Louis County Police Department until 1977 when she and her husband left law enforcement to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan to start a family and support Yvonne's mother in the family business.
In 1978, their only child, Joe Ames, was born.
In 1986, the family moved to California.
In 1991, Yvonne joined Fallbrook Elementary School District as a Campus Supervisor at Potter Junior High School where she touched the lives of thousands of students during her tenure at the District. Yvonne retired in 2005 after 14 years with the District.
Starting in 2013, Yvonne and Lee supported their son's winery venture, BK Cellars Urban Winery and Tasting Lounge in Escondido for nearly 10 years.
On April 5, 2024, Yvonne and Lee celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with son, Joe, and daughter-in-law, Dania.
Yvonne is survived by her husband Lee Ames, son Joe Ames, daughter-in-law Dania Ames and their daughter Dania Manzano, sister Joann Mosher, and brother Harry Jansingh and his wife Jo Jansingh.
Many members of the Ames family and the Jansingh family mourn the loss of Yvonne Ames in addition to the surviving family members.
In Memoriam,
Love,
Joe and Dania
