Virginia “Ginnie” Hislop Cause of Death: 105-Year-Old Westridge Alum Who Received Her Stanford Master’s Degree Dies Virginia “Ginnie” Hislop, a remarkable woman who captured national attention in 2023 when she finally received her long-delayed Stanford University master’s degree, has died at the age of 105. Family members confirmed her passing this week, marking the end of an extraordinary life that spanned more than a century of
history, education, and perseverance.Hislop was born in 1919 and went on to attend **Westridge School for Girls** before pursuing higher education at Stanford University. She completed all the requirements for her master’s degree in education in the 1940s but left before graduation when her fiancé, later her husband, was deployed during World War II.
For decades, she built a meaningful career in education and community service without the formal diploma that reflected her achievements.Nearly 80 years later, in 2023, Stanford awarded her the long-overdue degree during commencement ceremonies. At 105, Hislop became a symbol of resilience and the enduring value of education, drawing admiration from students, alumni, and the wider public.
The moment was celebrated across the nation, with many praising her as proof that learning and accomplishment have no age limits.Family and friends remember Ginnie as a woman of deep intellect, grace, and determination. Beyond academics, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose legacy lives on through the generations she inspired.
Her story touched countless lives, particularly young women pursuing education at Westridge and Stanford, where she is now remembered as an icon of perseverance.The cause of death has been attributed to natural causes, a peaceful close to a long and impactful life. Tributes continue to pour in, honoring a trailblazer who lived with purpose, passion, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
