A loving mother of seven who was battling a rare cancer died after she was hit by a freight train during a bike ride in Illinois.
Virginia Girmscheid, who also went by Ginny, set out on her bike around 8pm on June 9 in Grayslake, about an hour outside of Chicago, when she was struck at a railroad crossing, her family told CBS News.
A bystander called 911 to report the incident. Emergency personnel then responded to the scene, where Ginny was pronounced dead, according to the Grayslake Police Department.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal accident remain unclear at this time. There are nearby pedestrian gates and signs that read 'No train horn', according to CBS News.
Metra, the state's transit system, is investigating the fatal incident.
Ginny, 60, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer last year, and faced it like 'a warrior', her husband, Tim Girmscheid, told the outlet.
Tim, who was married to Ginny for 39 years, said she found solace in riding her bike during the turbulent time.
Virginia Girmscheid (pictured with her husband Tim Girmscheid), 60, was fatally struck by a freight train while riding her bike around 8pm in Grayslake, Illinois, on June 9
She was a mother to seven children and married to her husband for 39 years
'She battled like a warrior through six months of chemo and was winning the battle,' her heartbroken husband said.
He added: 'These days, bike rides were more of a peaceful getaway and the motion was good for her.'
Tim said he and his family don't blame anyone for the accident, but some locals have been questioning the accident.
'It's a concern that I don't think that we really want to think through right now. It's a concern that has been raised by others in the community,' he told CBS News.
For now, Ginny's grieving family is focused on leaning into their faith while they process their loss.
Tim said: 'When you go through such deep, deep gut-wrenching fetal-position grief, that we are going through that, we have to realize that it's not even one day at a time, it's one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one moment at a time.'
Ginny has been remembered as a beloved mother to her children, a grandmother, and an aunt to her nieces and nephews, her obituary read.
She was born in Highland Park and studied accounting at the University of Illinois.
A bystander called 911 to report the incident. Emergency personnel then responded to the scene, where Ginny was pronounced dead, police said
Ginny worked for several non-profit organizations, including Stepping Stones Network, where she served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) up until her death
Ginny went on to work for several non-profit organizations, including Stepping Stones Network, where she served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) up until her death.
The organization focuses on helping adults and children who have been impacted by sex trafficking or exploitation, according to the company's website.
'Ginny lived a life of self-sacrifice, emanating joy amidst all circumstances. She loves people fiercely, never passing up the opportunity to encourage each person she met with God's love and truth,' her obituary detailed.
A celebration of life for Ginny is scheduled for Tuesday. A church service is set for 4pm, with the event to follow at 5pm.
Her family asked attendees to wear colorful clothes as a way 'to reflect the joy of Ginny's life'.
In lieu of flowers, they have asked for people to donate to the charities Compassion International and Samaritan's Purse, according to her obituary.
A spokesperson told the Daily Mail there are no updates in the investigation at this time. The Daily Mail reached out to the Grayslake Police Department for comment.
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