Virginia D. Schick

Virginia (Ginny) Schick, beloved wife for 60 years and “sweetheart” of Donald Schick, passed away at home in Houston on December 7, 2013. She was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. One of four children of Herbert and Ann Dotterweich, she was predeceased by her brothers Rev. John Dotterweich, SJ and Herbert Dotterweich and is survived by her sister Patricia McDonough of Verona, New Jersey. She worked as an executive secretary at Doremus and Company Advertising Agency in New York City prior to her marriage to Don in May of 1953. Ginny and Don lived in Cranford, New Jersey, Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Middletown, New Jersey before settling in Houston in 1965 and raising their five children.

A perpetually sunny outlook on life, sincere care and concern for others, deep faith and devotion to her family were hallmarks of Ginny’s life. A founding member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Ginny dedicated over forty years of service to various ministries at St. John’s, both as a volunteer and as a staff member. She embraced with commitment and enthusiasm her involvement with St.John's Religious Education Program, as classroom helper, teacher and staff secretary; she reveled in her song and dance performances and the years of group camaraderie as a member of the Vianney Virtuosi; she compassionately provided comfort to grieving families as a member of St. John's funeral aid society and she faithfully and happily met in the parish office every Friday morning for over 20 years as a member of the bulletin-stuffing team!

Her love and care for Don and the beautiful example of their marriage provided the cornerstone of a rich family life for her children and grandchildren. She found joy and humor in daily interactions and delighted in her children, children-in-law and grandchildren, lighting up in their presence. She had the ability to make each one feel special and many of the happiest and cherished moments in her later years were those she spent in imaginary play, song and games with the grandchildren she so loved.

Ginny's positive attitude and abiding faith throughout her life, and especially during her recent years of declining health, was truly a gift to all those surrounding her.

She is survived by her son Robert and his wife Shelley Schick of Houston, their children and spouses Cameron and Nicole Schick and their sons Elliot and Brennan of Iowa City, Iowa and Katie and Harrison Manning and their daughter Evelyn of Charleston, SC; daughter and son-in law Marybeth and Phil Henningsen of Moraga, CA and their daughters Molly, Sarah and Erika; daughter and son-in-law Patty and Paul Gannon of Sudbury, MA and their children Michael and his wife Whitney, Jacqueline and Sean; son and daughter-in-law Bill and Pam Schick of Houston and their daughter Jessica and her fiancée Ryan LaMore; son and daughter-in-law Mike and Ana Schick and their sons Ryan and Jake. She also leaves many loved nieces and nephews, dear friends and devoted caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ginny’s memory can be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079 or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079, from 5 – 8 pm on Tuesday, December 10. The Rosary will be said at 7:30 pm.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 11 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079.