Virginia Rose DeFreitas
Date of Passing:
Virginia Rose DeFreitas (Gonsalves) “Ginger”, 75, of Hall Street, East Providence, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving sons. She was a lifelong resident of East Providence.
Born in Providence on March 20, 1949 a daughter of the late Gauldino and Matilda (Gomes) Gonsalves.
“Ginger”, as she was affectionately known, was a graduate of East Providence Senior High School Class of 1967. Following graduation she earned her certification as a Certified Respiratory Therapist from the former St. Joseph Hospital, Providence.
Ginger was a Dispatcher and Special Police Officer for the East Providence Police Department for 31 Years until retiring in 2005. She received numerous awards and citations for her dedication and service. After retirement she had an over zealous work ethic and felt the need to constantly stay busy. She then worked for the United States Postal Service, Gasbarro Liquor Store and Amazon. While Ginger enjoyed socializing she mostly cherished her private time at home with her sons and grandchildren.
She enjoyed karaoke, cooking, gardening, crafts, shopping on QVC and decorating for Halloween and Christmas. Her favorite times were summers spent in her backyard and swimming pool. Ginger was an animal lover who could be found in her yard feeding squirrels or with her dogs and pet rabbit. Ginger will be remembered for her spicy wit and loving ways. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her two sons, James W. Tunstall II and Jimarl D. Tunstall both of East Providence, a brother Gordon Gonsalves of Lake Placid FL; three grandchildren; Jimarl Tunstall II; Jisonia and Jison Tunstall ; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. She was the sister of the late Kenneth H. Fermino.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 from W.RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 8:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Xavier Church, Carpenter Street, East Providence at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence.
I had the pleasure of knowing Ginger since 1979. She was such a nice person with an infectious personality. I never met anyone who spoke bad of her. Her role as a police dispatcher was much appreciated respected by the men and women of EPPD. May she rest in peace.
RIP Ginger! A true friend from when we met at EPPD ! Ginger was the best on and off duty !
Condolences to James, Jimarl, and her family !
I will miss her!
My deepest condolences to the family. I just found out about the sad news as I now live in Florida. I met Ginger as a young teenager and used to babysit for her two sons. She was one of the kindest and loving human beings that I have ever met and I am very sad to hear this sad news. R.I.P. my dear friend.
My deepest condolences to Ginger’s family and friends. She was truly one of a kind. As tough as nails if she needed to be, but always a dear friend to all in the law enforcement community. I worked with Ginger for many years and will echo what others have said. She always had your back. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Very sad news. Ginger was the best. She was tough, smart and, often, a riot. She was the best at her work and went above and beyond to keep us all safe. Thank you, Ginger. Rest In Peace, my Friend.
My condolences go out to the family. Our friendship began many many years ago, when I was a young boy aspiring to be a police officer.. Our paths would cross as I was a cadet hanging around the police station. From the Commercial Way, right up to 750, she was truly part of our police family. She always brought a special twist to our daily shifts. You somehow felt a little safer when she was dispatching. I am truly heartbroken by her passing…. RIP “Gin”
My deepest condolences to Ginger’s family
It was my privilege to have meet and worked with her for many years. She was a bright star during my tour
God Bless Her
So sorry to hear of Ginger’s passing. My condolences to family. She was truly unique and a wonderful person. We always felt safe when she was dispatching and knew she had us covered.
Send my condolences for the loss of your mom . May she rest in peace
My Sincere Condolences to the Entire Family, May She Rest In Heavenly Peace 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Ginger was such a good spirit and friend. Thank you for all the laughs and good times shared together. My deepest condolences go out to the family. May you rest in eternal peace until we meet again. You will always be remembered my friend. 🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽
Such a good spirit and friend. Thank you for all the laughs and good times shared together. My deepest condolences go out to the family. May you rest in eternal peace until we meet again. You will always be remembered my friend. 🙏🏽🕊️🙏🏽
Jimmy Jamal Rickey and family may God bless and comfort you during this painfully difficult time. Our families have been together for generations and we will continue to support you
Rest in peace Ginger, you were a wonderful person and a good friend to so many of us.
Condolences To Jimmy and Jimarl
And the whole family on the loss of their beloved Mother.
My deepest condolences. Ginger was one of a kind. I enjoyed working the Christmas season detail at Gasbarro’s when she was working there. We had a lot of great laughs together! Her dedication to her Police & Fire Communications Center duties are unmatched. May she Rest In Peace.
I have known Ginger since 1979 and she was always there for you in the good times, and the tough times. Never once did her loyalty sway and you knew she had your back when you were working. She was an exceptional person and great law enforcement professional who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our loss, but God has a special place for her up in Heaven. We will be reunited again Ginger.
Such a Wonderful person and man oh man did her, Soito, and Mike Walsh bust all of us newbies up. Thank you for all the laughs, making the job fun, and always having our backs in this chaotic world. Prayers to your family.
I have read many of the tributes to Ginger from friends and co workers. But I have to give it to Sgt George Thomas. You nailed it on Ginger. She was exceptional at her position and we all loved her for her passion to the job. She was a true EP townie
I really don’t know what to say……everyone else has said it for me…..I will miss you ” FOREVER “
My condolences to Ginger’s family. Worked with Ginger for many years. As others have said she was a great dispatcher,special police officer and friend. Rest in peace
Remembering Ginger from EP high school what a great person she was we graduated together in 67 she was so much fun. RIP
Diane (McMahon) D’Ascoli
Sending our condolences to Jimmy ,Jimarl and family. Ginger will be missed may she rest in peace
To Jimmy,Jimarl, sending my condolences to you and family had alot of good times growing up. May she rest in peace!
Rip My Cousin I remember the good times we had in the past. To her sons I pray that you have peace in your lives
RIPmy cousin. I have many memories and pictures of us as kids. our families always did everything together. To Jimmie and Jimarl we send you our love.
maria lopes texeira
michele, Deshawn, Hasanl,l Laci, and Dee
My heartfelt condolences to the family, her sons. May she peacefully rest.
To Ginger’s son’s and family…..my sincere condolences….may she RIP
I will always remember Ginger for her spicy wit and loving ways. She will be missed by me and my family. Ginger, say hi to my Dad and Mom for me.
I had the privilege of knowing Ginger when she worked for the USPS. She would run circles around the younger workers. She was always a ray of light. And the stories. Lol. Love her. I think of her often. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers to her family who she loved deeply.
So sorry for your loss. I was so heartbroken😢 when I heard. Always in my heart ❤️
To the Defreitas family, my sincere condolences for your loss. Ginger will be missed by the entire Dept. May she rest peacefully.
Dear Jimmy and Jimarl, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your Mom. My heart goes out to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time. I hope you both can find comfort in the love and support of those around you. 🙏🏽
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a 2nd mom to me. Jimmy you have my number so PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you need
Ginger was an exceptional dispatcher, person, and well respected
throughout the police department.
As officer in charge the station, I knew that I could leave the station
on police business and Ginger had the back of the men and could
handle anything that came in.
She also worked with some vice cases and was there to help and
participate.
Her family appropriately is proud, and sincere condolences to them.
Richard Ferreira Capt. EPPD (ret)
My deepest condolences to the whole family on the lost of Ginger… Having grown up only a couple of houses apart, I saw daily the doting mother that she was. Always about her boys Jimmy and Jimarl who I consider my younger brothers.!!!. May God look out for your family in this time of loss…
My deepest condolences to all that knew Ginger,especially my brothers James and Jimarl.She will be surely missed.
one of the best people i know God got a good one
To Ginger’s Sons and extended family, please accept my sincere condolences.
Those that had the privilege of knowing her and in particular working with her knew what a special lady she was.
Regardless of the situation at hand, Ginger would always manage to bring a smile to your face. Rest in peace my friend 🙏🏼
I was so sorry to learn of Ginger’s passing, I’ve known her and her family since childhood. She was a wonderful person and always had a great smile. To Jimmie and Jamarl you have my deepest sympathy and I know that you did all that you could for your mom throughout her illness. Take comfort in knowing that she’s at peace and no longer suffering, she in a better place and in the presence of Our Lord and reunited with her parents and her brother.
Jimmy and Jimarl. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family. The picture of your mom that you have posted here is how I last remember her; what a beautiful picture of her. My prayers are with you all.
I had the honor, and pleasure of working with Ginger for over twenty years.
During her time with the E.P.P.D. She was assigned to the communications unit as a dispatcher. She also served as a Special Police Officer within the ViceSquad of which I was assigned. I found her to be very dependable,
Courageous, brave, and through, truly an asset to the organization. She was an unsung hero of the police dept. I know she will be missed but her family,
Friends, and co-workers. She set an example of how to comport oneself as a
Professional.
I am truly saddened by Ginger’s passing. My condolences to her family and many friends. Those of us who worked with Ginger for all those years have many funny ‘Ginger’ stories and she always had that special gift to put a smile on our faces. As others have mentioned, when Ginger was on the console, we knew that she was attentive to what was happening on the street and watched out for us. RIP my friend.
My sincere condolences to Ginger’s sons, family and her countless friends. She was a very special person who could put a smile on your face in your most trying moments. She was an excellent police/fire communications officer who was frequently recognized for her outstanding work performance and for her constant dedication to duty. She was a friend to all and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace my friend.
My condolences & prayers goes out to the entire Tunstall family! Ginger was like a 2nd mother to me & will be surely missed but NEVER forgotten!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
To The Defreitas and Tunstall Families, I have known Ginger for over 45 Years and She was always Kind, Caring and Very Funny. May She Rest in Peace and God Bless Her.
My heart is heavy with her passing she is my second mom my godmother she will forever be in my thoughts, I will always remember the love you gave to me love and miss you auntie
A super friend and a top notch police dispatcher. She had everyone’s back on the road and you felt safe under her watch. I will miss her greatly. She was also a great special police officer and could match any man in uniform. She was definitely a special person in so many ways. My condolences go out to her sons, family, and friends. Rest in peace my good friend. We will meet again.
Ginger was spirited, kind, smart and a hard worker.She was fun loving, providing me and other cousins with the best slumber party ever!
Rest in paradise.Condolences and prayers for her sons, grandchildren, brother and family.🙏❤️
Ginger was a beautiful person. She had a great laugh and a beautiful smile. She could always make me laugh. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to Jimmy and Jamal .
Not a time went by ,when I was in her Company that she had me laughing Constantly .Such a wonderful person ,and so much fun. It was an honor to know her.
There were many adventures throughout the years.Rest in peace Ginger.
My heart is broken, my sister. I send my deepest condolences to Jimmy and Jamarl and all who she loved and all who loved her. You will always be missed and never forgotten. RIP
Ginger was an excellent dispatcher
An excellent dispatcher
Always had a smile
To the family I send my condolences for the loss of your love one . May She rest in Peace.