Gina Elder McGuinness

Gina Elizabeth Elder McGuinness, 36, was born in Tell City, IN, at Perry County Memorial Hospital on August 15, 1988, surrounded by a crowd of nurses that were friends of her parents, Mary and Bill Elder. There were also several others standing outside the delivery room yelling out the progress, until she came into the world. The delivery aid (Jamie Knabel) yelled “It's a Girl! OMG! and she looks like Bill!” And so for the remainder of her life she often heard “You look just like your Dad!”.

Gina was named after her aunts, Gina Sandage and Jane Williams. She was a busy baby and child. She was always wearing a smile with a dramatic flair. She loved school, socializing, never met a stranger, and grew into a tall striking beauty. Gina had a can-do attitude that made her perfect for her chosen career after moving to Florida, where she worked for Atlas Party Rental Company. She started in the stock room, recording outgoing and incoming linens and dishes. Her work ethic and ideas soon took her up the ladder to management event setup, then into the office handling her own accounts and sales. She worked on fashion shows setting up for celebrities like Betsy Johnson. Gina designed and setup at festivals and fundraisers with celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver and Jose Andres.

When COVID hit Gina turned her energy to helping and working at an animal shelter. As the world began to open back up, Gina got back into events in South Florida but was beginning to miss home and eventually moved back to be closer to her family.

Her first job was working for the Ohio River Scenic Railway in Perry County where she was able to continue pursuing event management. She loved promoting what Perry County had to offer and made many friends in the community.

Gina was a city lights girl and started looking towards Owensboro for better shopping and restaurant experiences. She found her place at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as the Hospitality Manager, where her ability to shine was obvious. Gina coordinated ROMP Fest and the opening of the Jerry Garcia Exhibit among many other special events at the museum. She had found her home.

Gina was so proud of her family. She loved shopping, travel, music, concerts, festivals, and helping the helpless. Gina would tell you that next to spending time with her family, Taylor Swift's life and music were one of her top 2 favorite past times. She lived out loud and sang louder.

Gina is survived by her 2 furry companions, George and Pappy; her love, Jackson Hunsaker; both of her parents, Charles “Bill” and Mary Elder of Evanston; her siblings and their families, Rachael Furgerson- Alexander, Maddie and Sam of Louisville, Dominic and Heather Walls, Savannah of Evansville, Aaron and Ashley Walls, Tessa, Cayden, and Quaid of Lewisport, Christina “Tina” and Brian Pile, Ty, Avery, Adele, Roby, and Raley of Hawesville, Bridget and Matt Hundley, Marlow, Charlie, and Will of Tell City, Molly and Andrew Joines, Eli of Evansville; and her maternal grandparents, Harriet Williamson and Porfirio “Jay” Oliva.

Gina is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Forest and Susie Elder and was also welcomed by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at noon at Zoercher-Gillick Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 2:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, January 17, 2025, and from 10 to service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left online at zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com

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