Ginger Dutschman

Ginger Dutschman, age 79, of Surgoinsville, TN formally of Hamden, CT passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. She was born on July 27, 1946 in Buffalo, NY to Walter and June (Stendahl) Dutschman.

Ginger spent her career and life working to help others. She spent over 40 years working in the hospital and academic arena. She was a Research Scientist in the fields of Pharmacology, Cancer/Virus Research and drug Development. She was a dedicated scientist and teacher, mentoring young future scientists. Ginger retired from Yale University in 2011.

After her retirement, Ginger found a new calling in energy work. She became a Reiki Master and began working with her sister, Susan Grill as a practitioner at Integrated Health Concepts., Bristol, TN. She was always finding a way to help people and made friends wherever she went. No one was a stranger.

Ginger enjoyed spending time with her bowling family, paranormal family and her Reiki family. Ginger cared deeply about family and friends. She was a bright light and a beautiful soul and greatly loved by many.

In addition to her parents, Ginger is preceded in death by her sister Helen “Sue” Hoad; brother Robert Dutschman; adopted family Fredrick Grill, Patricia Grill, Sandra (Grill) Bell.

Those left to cherish her memory are her nephew Eric (Melanie) Dutschman of Getzville, NY; adopted family brothers Fredrick Grill of Church Hill, TN, George (Sandi) Grill of Monroe, NC; Robert (Candi) Grill of Peoria, AZ; sisters Susan (Marita) Grill of Bristol, VA; Barbara (Wayne) Hunt of St. Paul, VA; as well as many loving adopted nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Church Hill Memory Gardens, 208 Lane Street, Church Hill, TN 37642. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to your favorite animal shelter.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Church Hill is serving the Dutschman family.