ROGERS — Athlete, philanthropist and community organizer Virginia “Ginnie” Mocivnik died Thursday.
Mocivnik’s fingerprint can be found on the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation, Interstate 540, Highway 94 East Volunteer Fire Department, Single Parent Scholarship of Benton County, the civic projects of Altrusa International of Rogers and sports for children in Northwest Arkansas, especially for girls.
She was 79, according to voter registration records.
Mocivnik, with her late husband, John, owned and operated Kedzie Transmission in Rogers, where she worked on vehicles alongside her husband and his brother.
“Ginnie was one of the most selfless individuals I’ve met, and everyone that knew her could see her commitment to and her passion for our community,” said 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers. “Northwest Arkansas has lost a true treasure, but we are fortunate for her legacy, which will certainly live on.”
State Rep. Uvalde Lindsey, D-District 4, met Mocivnik in the 1980s. She wanted water near Beaver Lake after organizing the Fire Department. There were no hydrants, and the department depended on pumper trucks.
Money was tight, Lindsey said, and at first he ignored her calls. Mocivnik kept calling, and finally he agreed to meet with her.
“She wore me out,” he said.
Lindsey outlined the documentation needed. He said he expected to hear back from her in a few months. About two weeks later, Mocivnik had everything done.
“Virginia never met a stranger, never met a challenge she wouldn’t undertake,” Lindsey said.
He worked with her again when she was one of the founders of Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. The task was impossible, Lindsey said. They were selling bonds for an airport that didn’t exist. The construction schedule was tight. Mocivnik asked about setting up lights, and the contractor worked 24 hours a day during the first stages of the project, Lindsey said.
“That set the tone of the project. Nothing was insurmountable, the budget was sacred and the time schedule was sacred,” he said.
Many politicians consulted Mocivnik over the years, as he did when he ran for office, Lindsey said. She told him never to forget who elected him and to take care of people.
“She probably taught all of us 90 percent of what we know,” Lindsey said.
Mocivnik valued education.
She served on the founding board of directors for NorthWest Arkansas Community College Foundation and was a founding member of The President’s Circle. In 2005 she was presented with an honorary associate’s degree in humanitarian service from the college.
The foundation sent an email about Mocivnik’s death Thursday morning, and people responded saying she was a mentor, had set an example and understood Rogers, said Meredith Brunen, executive director.
“She’s really passed that spirit on to others and helped to advocate for the college,” Brunen said.
Ginnie’s Place, the cafe and lobby at the Center for Nonprofits at St. Mary’s, was named for Mocivnik. The cafe is managed by students from the college.
Mocivnik was an inspiration and a good friend, said Susan Barrett, former chief executive officer of Mercy Health System.
“In her own way, Virginia was able to say women can make a contribution, women should make a contribution and women will make a contribution,” Barrett said.
Bonnie Grimes, a former school principal, met Mocivnik when Mocivnik’s daughter, Patti, was in first grade and later served with her in Altrusa International of Rogers, a civic club.
Grimes said she credits Mocivnik for bringing physical education classes to the elementary level. Physical activity, especially for girls, was important to Mocivnik, Grimes said.
“She was one of the most upbeat, positive, forward-looking people I think I’ve ever known,” Grimes said.
Mocivnik also left a legacy in local sports.
Mary Ann Akers played against Mocivnik in fast pitch softball leagues in the late 1970s. Fast pitch softball is thrown like a baseball but underhand.
“We cringed when we played her team,” Akers said. “We always knew what the outcome was going to be.”
Mocivnik’s Kedzie Transmission team traveled some weekends, and Akers said she was honored when Mocivnik recruited her to play. Akers told Mocivnik she didn’t have much experience playing outfield. She didn’t need it, Akers said. Mocivnik, the pitcher, was known for striking out players.
Mocivnik was instrumental in introducing girls sports in Rogers in the mid-1970s, said Rick Stocker, director of the Rogers Recreation Department.
Mocivnik always advocated for girls to have equal access to sports, Stocker said.