Virginia Hettler Mitcham

Loving mother Virginia Marie Hettler Mitcham peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, surrounded by her children. Incredibly full of love, Ginny was adored by her four children, six grandchildren, two siblings, niece, and large but close extended family.

Born in 1939 in Queens, she grew up in Forest Hills, NY, and attended Albertus Magnus College. She worked secretarial jobs in NYC and as an international flight attendant for TWA. She started her family in Pelham, NY, before they moved to Houston, where she lived for 48 years. In order to afford her children every opportunity, she worked tirelessly as the general manager of the local country club and as a premier interviewer and trainer at Gallup International. She enjoyed playing tennis and bridge, was a skilled knitter, and loved pets, including her most recent cat Luna. She was a surrogate mother to all of her kids' friends, always ready with a warm hug, a listening ear, or a place to stay. A devoted grandmother, she built unique relationships as she hosted each grandchild at her house as an early rite of independence.

Ginny forged many deep friendships in Houston, with friends who returned from all over the world to visit her. Her close-knit friend group enjoyed gourmet cooking and dining. As her family matured, her love of travel was rekindled with glorious vacations with her friends and family. When health issues arose, she reluctantly agreed to her children's pleas to move to Washington, where three of them live. She quickly became beloved in her new community and was a mainstay for her grandchildren and family.

The eldest of dozens of cousins, Ginny participated in many family reunions, reliving childhood summers spent in the Hampton Bays. She confounded the East Coast “experts” by taking home the annual card tournament. Always full of the Christmas spirit, she spent every one with her mother and at least three of her kids, and sometimes convinced her siblings to join in the fun. Her clever wit, mischievous smile, and infectious giggle will be sorely missed.

As sad as we are, we are happy for the release of her pain and for her reunion with the family and friends who have gone before her. We could almost hear the cards shuffling in heaven as they prepared another seat at the table for eternal rounds of the family game whose name cannot be printed here.

She is survived by her siblings, Maryalice Mulvey and Paul Hettler; her children, John, Elizabeth, Susan, and Kevin; a niece, Liz Hetter; and grandchildren Sean, Alexander, Aislinn, Paulos, Amanda, and Nicholas. She was predeceased by her parents, Washington and Virginia Hettler; her ex-husband, John Cashin Mitcham; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Mulvey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Anthony Catholic Church in Renton, WA. A family celebration of life will be held in California, where her siblings live.

In lieu of flowers, Ginny asked that those wishing to remember her that way donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to any equally worthy organization helping kids or animals. We love you, Mom!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenwoodmempark.com for the Mitcham family.