Remembering Public Media donors

Delta College / Delta College Foundation / Journeys / Fall 2020 / Remembering Public Media donors

Thank you, Ginny

Virginia Spatz Delta College’s public television station recently received a wonderful gift through the estate of Virginia “Ginny” Spatz of Bridgeport. Spatz passed away in 2018 and left gifts to several non-profits within her estate plan, as identified in her will.

Spatz was a neighbor and friend of Frank N. Andersen, also a Bridgeport resident. She appreciated Delta’s PBS station, Channel 19 and its programming, especially Masterpiece Theatre on Sunday nights. These are elements that led her to identify Delta College Public Media as the recipient of a wonderful gift in her estate plan.

Ginny Spatz was born in Saginaw in 1922 to Otto and Adelhaide Oehring. She married the love of her life, Norman Spatz, in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and predeceased her in 2003. Ginny retired from General Motors, the former Saginaw Chevrolet manufacturing plant, after 41 years and also worked for Lufkin Rule in Saginaw.

Like many other Great Lakes Bay Region residents before her, Ginny made a major gift by simply remembering to include Delta College Public Media in her will.

Remembering Ruby

In the 1980s and 90s, Ruby Iwamasa could be found on screen as the warm and lively host of many Delta College Public Media pledge drives.

Off screen, her impact was immense. She loved children, teaching and volunteering. She was an advocate, mother and wife. She was also a beloved member of the Delta College Public Media team.

Iwamasa passed away on July 24, 2020. She left behind a legacy that can be felt in Midland, where she and her husband Bob raised three sons, and at Delta College.

Iwamasa joined the college as a staff member in 1983 after volunteering for 12 years. She championed many initiatives, like the PBS Ready to Learn Service, and she received the Pioneer Award from the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters for her 32-year involvement with Delta. She retired in 2004 as manager of educational services and outreach.

“Ruby was such a special person,” said Dr. Betty Jones, a close friend who retired from Delta in 2001 as vice president of Instruction and Learning. “I think of her as a woman who really knew how to receive lemons and make great lemonade for everyone to share and enjoy.”

Jones and many of Iwamasa’s friends are raising funds to establish a scholarship in her memory. Funds will be awarded to students studying broadcasting, electronic media or journalism.