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From Virginia Davidson Weeks Moreau
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Virginia Davidson Weeks Moreau MD

Ginger in hat.jpg

Virginia Davidson Weeks Moreau, MD passed away in Fletcher Allen Health Care on May 11, 2012. She was born on March 9, 1928, to Harold Eastman Weeks and Virginia Travel Weeks, MD, in New York City. Ginger grew up in Brooklyn Heights, attended Brooklyn Friends School with her siblings; Willard, Sheldon and Elinor. Their family enjoyed the fine arts of both the Berkshires and New York City. Her love of nature began on the family farm near Sheffield, Mass., and continued throughout her travels and her life in the Adirondacks. Memorable childhood family vacations together included driving the AlCan highway during its opening and touring parts of Europe as a teenager. Her family included a long line of physicians. After completing Vassar College, Ginger graduated Cornell Medical School in 1952. Her medical internship was at Bellevue Hospital NYC, with a residency at New York Hospital. She was Chief Resident in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Bellevue Hospital. This was followed by a two year post-doctoral Teaching and Research Fellowship with Janet D. Travell, MD, her "Aunt Bobbie," in which they developed the field of musculoskeletal/myofascial pain and published several papers together. In 1957, Ginger moved to Lake Placid, N.Y., with her then husband, Dr. Herbert V.W. Bergamini. Her pediatric career in the north country of New York thrived for over 45 years. Her legacy includes developing both the Essex County "Well Baby Clinic" and the Mental Health Services programs, as well as being a physician for four different schools. Her loves and passions were her family, gardening, bird watching, natural history, world travel, cooking, children, social gatherings, education, fine dining, dogs, conservation, watercolor painting, photography and sports medicine. Ginger was a networker and touched the lives of so many people in very positive ways. Her boundless generosity and thoughtful caring for others are integral parts of the legacy she leaves behind. Ginger was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. Moreau; and her brother, Willard T. Weeks. She will be dearly missed by her remaining family including, sister, Elinor Weeks Knapp; brother, Sheldon Weeks; daughter, Malinda Bergamini Chapman and husband, Glen, of Ticonderoga, N.Y.; sons, John and Grete Bergamini of Oslo, Norway, and Herbert and Erica Bergamini of Seattle, Wash.; stepchildren, Michael Bergamini, Donald and Dee Dee Moreau; nieces and nephews; and many grandchildren. A celebration of Ginger's remarkable life is planned for mid-morning on July 15, 2012, at John Brown's Farm in Lake Placid, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider making contributions to Adirondack Nature Conservancy, Elizabethtown, NY; St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center, Saranac Lake, NY; or The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY.