Virginia "Ginny" Maggi

Virginia "Ginny" was born in 1929 in Franklin, PA, to Clyde R. Shelley and Mary Eckert Shelley and was the youngest of five children: Francis, Bernardine, Marjorie, and Mary Ruth. When Ginny was a toddler, the family moved to Washington, DC, where she attended Holy Comforter elementary school and Holy Trinity high school, in Washington DC. She graduated with a degree in early education from Wilson Teachers College, Washington, DC.

In 1951, Ginny married Pasquale (Pat) J. Maggi and they welcomed four children: Laura, Claudia, Paul and Martha, between 1952-1961. The family traveled to Okinawa, Thailand, and the Philippines during the late 1950's and mid-1960's. Ginny enjoyed teaching at the American School, and was active in the Catholic Community while abroad. Upon return to the US, she taught in Fairfax County VA at Freedom Hill Elementary School. She was especially good at teaching reading and cursive writing.

In the early 1980's Pat's last overseas post brought her to Bonn, Germany, where she enjoyed European travel and hosted family members. In 1984, the family suffered the untimely loss of Pat to cancer. And in 1999, our beloved Paul passed away after a six year battle. These events highlight Ginny's resilience and strength, as she pressed on with life and family.

Ginny cherished her loving extended family; her grandchildren Alec Norman, Marie Hill, Michael Sargent, Michelle Brusca, Monica Sargent, Jessica Howes, Joanna Kennedy, Stacy Baker Martin, and Ted Baker. Her children's spouses Dave Sargent, Pat Baker, Tammy Maggi, and Kris Mosher brought her joy and faithfully supported her. She was blessed with ten great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws who will miss her deeply.

We will all remember mom as a gentle, resilient, loyal, and generous person; a faithful Catholic, who was especially close to her sisters Margie and Bernardine. Ginny loved to have fun, and in particular enjoyed beach time on the Chesapeake Bay, oil painting, family gatherings, good Italian food and wine, and an occasional martini. She took every opportunity to travel; visits with family to South Korea, Washington state, and Florida. Later in life, Ginny met Jesse Davis and they enjoyed years of companionship, travel around the US, and watching Big Bang Theory episodes over and over again.

In her last years Ginny suffered from dementia and moved into The Gardens of Fair Oaks. She received loving care from the staff and nurses and enjoyed frequent family visits. At the end, her daughters were by her side.