Inga McMinn

Inga McMinn, 85, of Newport News passed away peacefully with family at her side on Saturday November 19, 2022.  Born in Copenhagen Denmark, she was the daughter of the late Helge Andersen Brink and Ella Marie Amorsen. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years, John F. McMinn, in 1998; cherished sister Hanne in 2021; and brothers-in-law Henrik Brink in 2015 and Robert Balfour in 2016.

From high school Inga began work as a telegraph operator in Copenhagen.  At 21 she, and two of her girlfriends, moved to Germany and began working for the US Army. It was there she and one of her girlfriends met John and his best friend.  Dating ensued, couples married and the group remained life-long friends.

After their marriage in August of ‘62, John and Inga stayed in Germany for nearly another 10 years. Son, John Dana, was born in December of 1965. Overnight trips to visit family in Denmark were frequent from Germany. There were annual trips to visit John’s family in Penn Yan, N.Y.

In February of 1972, the family moved to Springfield, Va.  There strong, life-long friendships were formed again.  The four years in Springfield produced an over-abundance of memories punctuated with wonderful Thanksgiving weekends.

Inga and family moved Poquoson in November of ’76 and she would remain in this area for the rest of her life; she and John moving to Kiln Creek in 1994. It was then that Inga met the children and grand children she never had.  There were so many holidays, birthdays, and every-days spent together with this extended family.  Before John passed, the two had many great trips together with their friends and bowling partners.  They made great use of timeshare exchanges but especially loved visiting the outer banks of N.C.  After John passed, Inga found more lasting friendships in various groups.  There were the book club girls, 3 time a week water aerobics friends, the women of Drivers Ln, the swim girls back in Denmark, and the ever-dear friends who kept meeting with her during Covid.  Inga was so blessed to have such wonderful friends throughout her life.

She is survived by her son John Dana McMinn of Hampton; sister-in-law Mary Balfour (nee McMinn) of Ogdensburg, NY and her children Scot Balfour (Gretchen), David Balfour and Megan Kizkiel (Eric); brother-in-law Robert McMinn (Jackie) of Halfmoon, NY, and their children Heather and Shawn McMinn.  Residing in Denmark are her nephew Jan Jeppesen (Gitte) their children Christoffer and Alexander; niece Marianne Brink (Torben) their children Martin, David, Phillip, and Kamilla.  On the Portuguese island of Madeira resides her niece Annette Cruz (Adelino) and their daughters Catarina and Camila.

Inga enjoyed time spending nurturing her yard-full of plants.  She so much enjoyed being outdoors working or soaking up the sun.  Then there were nature’s creatures.  She loved her window seat where she could watch the birds make use of the feed and water she would dutifully supply. There was a love hate relationship with the squirrels.  Dogs, by far, were her favorites: treats and love rained upon them when they visited.   Friends and family will meet at Claytor-Rollins Funeral Home on Saturday December 10th from 2pm to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a local animal aid charity or charity of your choice.

Arrangements and heartfelt guidance through Claytor Rollins Funeral Home.
Online condolences to claytorrollins.com. 

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