Virginia "Gina" Lasell Westgaard

Gina (92) passed away on January 15, 2025 at her home in Denver, Colorado. She was born November 10, 1932 in New York City to Chester Harding Lasell and Ruth Drake Lasell. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and attended Greenwich Country Day School and Miss Porter's School before attending Vassar College. 

After leaving college to marry her first husband, William Stanley, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where they raised their three children. 

In 1985, Gina completed her BA with a History of Art degree from Metro State College and stayed on to teach and tutor for three years. 

Gina married Tor Westgaard in 1986. They traveled extensively and lived in Maine for six years before returning to Colorado to be near their children. 

Gina was an active member of the Denver Botanic Gardens, running the annual plant sale, giving outdoor and conservatory tours and everything in between. She was a proud recipient of her "40 year" pin. She also volunteered at Planned Parenthood and was a member of the Board of Trustees at Kent Denver School. Gina loved to read, play bridge, hike the Colorado mountains, learn about wildflowers and play tennis. As a mother, wife and friend, Gina was kind, graceful, compassionate and stoic. 

Gina is survived by her beloved daughter, Helen Stanley Baker (David McClure), grandson, Morgan Clinton Baker, great-grandchildren, Mercury and Jupiter Baker, step-children, Gyda Flanigan (Sean), Toralee Hellyer (Bobby) and Rolf Westgaard (Celeste), and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Tor Westgaard, daughter, Leila Stanley Stephani, and son, Frank Drake Stanley. 

The family extends their most heartfelt gratitude for the caring attention, love and friendship given to Gina by Yemi Teki, Hanna Zerfu, Ethiopia Asfawe, Marsha Santistevan, Bob Stephani and family and Carey and Phil Norrish. 

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in the spring when flowers are in bloom. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Denver Botanic Gardens in Gina's name:

https://www.botanicgardens.org/join-give/donate

or checks may be mailed to the Denver Botanic Gardens, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206