Memories of Gina

Brian Anderson

Gina and I were old friends, and knew each other from 1982 through 1995. I have missed her since then, and now, posthumously, I first learn of all her incredible work. It does not surprise me that Gina had such a great impact on her world. She always was a positive, wonderful, supportive friend with strength beyond that of 100 people. I will treasure the time we spent together and wish I had spent more time with her here on this earth. I am sure I would have been the better for it.

Ian Reifowitz

I only knew Gina in high school, where she was incredibly bright and even then devoted to serving others. Reading what she has accomplished in her far too short life makes me proud to have known her. Obviously, she will be deeply missed. My condolences to her family and many friends.

Evan London

I just learned of Gina's passing and am very sad to hear about it. I went to highschool and have fond memories of her lovely smile and kind heart. Apparently she grew up to be a remarkable woman who really made a significant difference in the world. I gues that is all anyone can really hope for. She wil be remembered fondly.

Bob Bacher

I met Gina a few years ago in Florida, and she asked me to accompany her to Arizona for some business she had to attend to. She was physically quite weak at that time. I had asked her to postpone the trip due to her weak condition. Her response was, "I can do it if you come with me". On that trip I did what I felt I could to offer support in any way, to make her feel more comfortable. That was a great experience I will never forget. She was so focused on the business she had to attend to, but at the end of the day, was so weak and tired. I felt it was not possible to give her the energy she needed to continue, and I didn't think she would make it through the week. Knowing her a little bit, and how much she cared for people and always fighting for what is right, was a great inspiration we could all learn from! I am deeply saddened by her passing, but I know that if ever there was a soul deserving heaven, it is Gina. Her whole life seemed focused to help others. Even at the very end, when last I saw her, she was rewriting a manual for Unified Solutions...
I will miss her, but the memories of the short time I was able to share with her will always be a treasure in my heart. My deepest sympathies go out to her family.

Sereena Hogan, Desktop Publisher for Unified Solutions

Gina was the strongest and most courageous young woman I have ever known. I enjoyed being her friend for many years and then becoming her co-worker. She always struck me as a very old and wise soul in a young and beautiful body. She accomplished so much in her short earth walk and her essence will live on in the hearts of so many whose lives she touched on so many levels.

Joseph M. Waner

A kind and kindred spirit who will truly be missed. The greatest thanks I can offer her and her family is the bleesing of love and good she offered to all. May she walk and be held in the comfort of the Creator, and may her family recieve the Creators healing blessings, now and always. Lem Lmnts, Chi Miigwetch, mino ode' Ickwe'.

Kathryn Vaughan Robey

Gina hired me for my first counseling job out of graduate school. I applied to work with her at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in the Walking in Balance program. Gina allowed me to create and define services specific to the children in homes with domestic violence.
Gina also was my supervisor as I completed my work hours and training to become a state certified counselor. Gina was so articulate, she knew how to ask just the right questions of her clients...she taught me so much about listening and helping. She was also great with organization and policy, the forms she created to help employees help their clients were amazing, she thought of everything--Gina was definitely a troubleshooter.
I was honored to know Gina on a more personal level as well. I often cared for her pets while she was away and shared in existential discussions with her. She was so smart, emotionally and intellectually and the conversations were so rich, no matter the content.
I have always had such respect for Gina, I'm sad that we had lost touch over the past few years and that I was unable to share these thoughts with her while she was still here.
I trust that she is quite content and blessed--she always tried to be such no matter her location or circumstance.
God bless you Gina, and thank you for all that you gave to this world.

Becca

I did not know this courageous woman. Peace during her continuing journey and blessings to her family.

fedex man from florida

My prayers go out to her family i met Gina in 2007 she was so fun to talk to and such a great listener she gave me alot of advise and was very motivational i was beautiful to talk with her I wil miss all her conversations and never forget her nice smile that she always had sorry to lose such a great person.

Andrea Hernandez Holm

My heart and prayers are with the entire Unified Solutions community and all of Gina's family and friends.

I will always be thankful for the opportunity she gave me to become a part of the Unified Solutions family, the incredible work it does, and her personal commitment to bringing hope to those in need.

Elena Aluskak

I first met Gina in 2006 during a faith-based gathering and this was my first Arizona trip, but under her leadership the staff of unified solutions made me feel at home. Her leadership and expertise was one that stood out and made a person feel that everything is going to be okay. Her strength is also one to be admired, many of us was not aware of her illness. I will miss her greatly and I want her parents and family to know that you are being lifted up to our Majestic Creator to be in His care during this time. Gina will not be forgotten.

Cindy Fricke, Victim Advocate, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Like many of you who were in Palm Springs, I too thought that Gina was winning the battle; she seemed to be her compassionate, concerned, and uplifting self. Her listening skills were unbelievable. She had such a strong, positive influence on our TVA program; we definitely would
not be where we are today if it had not been for Gina. I consider myself to have been blessed to have known her. She was and will
continue to be a bright spot in my life.

Billie Jo Kipp, Ph.D. The University of New Mexico

The faith based tribal organizations have been fortunate to find a gem like Gina to push their agenda and support their overwhelming need for training and technical assistance. There will be a void left by Gina. But as Gina had a stronge spirit and will she has provided this to the tribes of the United States, to carry on the overwhelming task of protecting those most in need. Thank you Gina for your dedication to Indian Country.
AHO!
Billie Jo Kipp, Blackfeet

Darryl Brown/GreyEagle, Choctaw – Faith Based Counselor, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

I honor the spirit in our sister Gina today. I am sorry to hear the news and to her family. To all of you I pay my respects today.

There have been so many words said and written about her, that all I can do is read the mission statement,

And about the logo, because when I met her, that is what stood out the most, when it was developed, to me. Her spirit was

In everything she did, and she gave so much for all of this and for everyone involved. She always made me feel welcome and

At ease, as did all the staff that I have met and become close to.

I honor her courage and the sacred gift of life she had. As our ancestors and elders have always taught,

That there is only change on this earth walk, and now, I just say that we lift up her spirit on this new change for her

And give her back to the Great Creation!

My elder and I will be in a sacred lodge this evening, and will give special prayers for the gift of this beautiful sister we all

Were able to meet and share with. I will also pray for her family, and all of you that were so close to her!

“chi hullo li hoke!” in Choctaw is the strongest way to say that I care very much for her and all of you!

So, as the part of the logo says…..”When we commit our hands together in action, creating a new way with Unified Solutions, the

Power of this Light shines from within the Phoenix”!!

This is how I will remember her! Her light will shine even brighter…...

Yakoke….we are all related

Peace

Darryl Brown/GreyEagle, Choctaw – Faith Based Counselor
Counseling & Faith Based Services for Crime Victims in Indian Country
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Andrea Mesa, Pascua Yaqui Tribe Victim Services

I had the privilege of working with Gina in 1995 when she first came to work for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, AZ. She and I became good friends those first couple of years, and stayed close friends. She created the Walking in Balance Domestic Violence Program. I then worked at the Police Department as a victim advocate. We used to talk for hours and dream about what kind of services we could offer survivors of domestic violence. She showed me how she wrote for grants and how she managed them. She taught me so much when I was new to this field. I learned from the best. She had big dreams, and wonderful ideas on how to help people.

I remember when she decided to leave her employment with the tribe. She struggled with that decision, but decided it was the best for her. She didn’t know exactly what she was going to do. Leave it to Gina to challenge herself, and jump into something big. I remember talking with her when she was creating Unified Solutions in her mind. She told me about getting a business license, all the research she did, and writing the grant that would make it a reality. I told her if anyone could do it, it was her. She worked day and night trying to put it together, and dreaming big. She was nervous, but when she got an idea in her head she was amazing and brilliant. She knew how to make things happen.

She told me she got the funding, and was creating Unified Solutions. I visited her office, and was amazed at what she did. We kept in touch for a long while, and I watched throughout the years Unified Solutions grow into an amazing nation wide program that helped so many. I have always admired Gina for all she did, and how hard she worked for something she truly believed in.

After she had left the tribe, Walking in Balance continued to live and thrive. She laid a solid foundation that allow for it to grow into what it is today. I am still here, and will continue her work in keeping our program going. I loved how Unified Solutions became such a useful resource that still impacted what she started on this reservation. Gina has always been a huge influence in my life, and she impacted me in such a big way. She and I lost touch in the last few years but she was in my thoughts often.

Coming from an old friend, Gina, I am so proud to have known you and admired everything you did, and accomplished. I will always remember our long walks talking about life, wishes, dreams, and hanging out at your house with you, and your many dogs. Even in your passing you will always be my inspiration in this line of work that you loved and cherished.

You will be missed!

Kim Edwards

I had met Gina in the past at different meetings/conferences. She was a very vivacious and intelligent woman. She will be dearly missed by all. May God Bless you.

Erin Rodgers

Oh Gina-Babina....I will miss you so very much. You became like a sister to me, and now I have this big empty hole in my heart. It was such a pleasure to get to know you, work for you, and share your life. It gives me peace to know that you are no longer in pain, and now in God's arms! I love you!

David Rogers, CJCI-Fox Valley Techical College

I can not expess in words the sadness I feel for the loss of Gina. To me she was a personal friend as well as a fellow professional, a mentor, an advisor, a supporter and a role model. She shared her passions for helping tribal communtiies and victims of crime so openly. She never gave up on the mission of Unified Solutions and her goals for assisting the tribes. She never stopped working towards those ends right up to her passing. Though she is gone from this life, she lives through the lives that she affected and the work that will continue to be done by all of us who were inspired by her vision. Somewhere out there, a victim will be helped without ever realizing that her assistance was there because of the work of Gina Gavaris. She changed my life and I will be forever grateful. I look forward to seeing her again one day. My thoughts to her family, her staff, and all of you.

Barbara Murray, Program Coordinator, Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

I know your hearts are low with the news of Gina’s passing. The news came as a complete shock to me. I never knew she was ill. She was always so pretty, smiling and vibrant. I know you will all miss her leadership and support. She is one of the rare lucky ones whose life touched many in a positive way and whose good works will continue to change lives. What a wonderful legacy.
You are all in my thoughts today.

Rande Christiansen, Seattle Police Department

I'm so sorry to hear the news and could really tell something in your voice when you left the message to call. She was nothing less than great and definitely helped many persons. She will be missed.
Also please make sure you take care of yourself during this time.
Our thoughts are with you all,
Rande & Marilou