Gina Lyn Barry Fournier passed on April 19, 2023, in Santa Barbara, California, due to complications from cancer. Her fight with her disease was how she lived: fierce, optimistic, and on her own terms. She was taken from us way too soon, and has left a hole in the hearts of many that cannot be refilled.
Gina was born in Long Beach, California, on November 10, 1961. She is survived by her daughter, Kseniya Lyn Fournier Bentley; her son-in-law, David Bentley; her son, Grigori “Grisha” Fournier; granddaughters Charlotte and Emma Bentley; mother, Dorothy Johnstone Cooper; step-father, David Cooper; sister, Beth Anne Cooper; brother-in-law, Gary Cooper; and nephew, Dylan Cooper. She is also loved and remembered by a host of cousins and friends.
Gina was predeceased by her loving husband, Michael Fournier, as well as her father, Oliver Thorpe Barry.
Gina was a creative, fiery, and energetic soul with a passion for life. Her presence would fill up a room, and she could command an audience without any effort-people loved to hear her speak. She cared deeply about the world around her, and was not just passionate about rescuing dogs, she adopted many unwanted shelter dogs who were able to find forever homes because of her love.
Gina will be remembered so much for her encyclopedic wealth of knowledge, her passion for genealogy, her musical talent on the violin and viola, her love of books and her gift of writing, evident in the amazing fan fiction stories (especially regarding Severus Snape and Harry Potter), her love for the Central Coast, trains, travel, ice skating, and All Things Alan Rickman (whom she met and took a picture with in New York City!).
Gina was intelligent, brave, innovative and loyal (a true Scorpio!). She always gave one hundred percent to whatever she was involved in, and touched so many lives in her journey on this planet.
Until we meet again, Gina, you will be forever missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to C.A.R.E. 4 Paws (
https://care4paws.org
) in memory of Gina Fournier.
A memorial graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes. There will also be a Celebration of Life held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 4th in Lompoc, California.