Virginia May "Ginny" Salsman

The family of the late Virginia May Salsman, of Wolfville, formerly of Halifax, sadly announce her passing on June 13, 2026, after a long, wonderful life. Ginny was born on February 22, 1929, in Wolfville to Frederick Salsman of Country Harbour and Elizabeth Coldwell of Gaspereau Valley. 

Ginny was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Benjamin (in infancy), Brooks and Franklin and great nephew Max Smith. She is survived by her sister, Ina Peters; sister-in-law, Lorraine Salsman; nieces and nephews, Marlene (Don) Barkhouse, Louise Salsman-Harris (Ken Harris), Sharleen Smith, Daren Smith, Judy Salsman (Doug Barkhouse), Corey Smith and Robbie Peters; 15 grand nieces and nephews, many great grand nieces and nephews, and chosen nieces, Amber Cook, Jackie Coldwell and Kate Card. 

Ginny grew up on a working farm in Wolfville and soon became a great help in the kitchen. She was a good student and often joked the only subject she failed was singing. 

She attended Acadia University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. After graduation Ginny went to Montreal to teach for a year. 

Back home for the summer while waiting for a teaching position, she took a job at Lindsay’s Enterprises. John Lindsay was setting up a branch of his firm in Halifax and needed a bookkeeper. Ginny excelled at her job and ended up in Lindsay’s employment for over 50 years, retiring at 78. 

Ginny was devoted to her job and developed a close friendship with John Lindsay and his wife Marjorie.  She was recognized as the number one employee when Lindsay was inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame. John was very health conscious and spent much time exercising at the YMCA and encouraged Ginny to become involved. She continued donating to the YMCA her entire life. Ginny believed physical activities were important. In her younger years she played badminton at the Y, jogged and downhill skied. She was an avid walker and continued to walk around Wickwire Place in Wolfville, her home for the past two and a half years. She loved the scenery, the trees and took great delight in dandelions. 

Ginny was a vibrant woman who loved to experience life. She traveled to many places including Mexico, Bermuda, and Paris. In the late 70’s she moved to New York to take interior design. Then using her talent, she bought a house on Willow Street, Halifax and redid the interior. She loved antiques, a fondness she inherited from her father. Her home was full of interesting furniture and dishes. Ginny also ran her own antique store, The Carriage House in Halifax and later in Port Williams. 

Ginny was a philanthropist. In her later years, she donated her time at the St. George’s Anglican Round Church soup kitchen and also helped provide hot lunches for school children and others in need. She was generous and gave to many charities. When walking down the streets of Halifax, if a homeless person approached her, she gave willingly. 

Family was very important to her. She helped support her relatives and friends by giving and/or lending money for higher education, passions and business adventures. She always orchestrated and cooked special holiday dinners for her family. She was an awesome cook, and friends and family were always welcomed at her home. Over the years she took friends in to live with her when they needed a place to stay. 

In her last years she painted lovely scenes. She touched the hearts of the staff and residents at Wickwire. She was famous for her cheery hello and beautiful smile. 

Ginny was a determined, independent soul with strong opinions, she liked to do things her way. Hers was a life well lived. 

A funeral service with reception for Ginny will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend. Burial to follow in Willow Bank Cemetery, Wolfville. 

Donations in memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Family flowers only please. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.