Virginia Helen Elias

Virginia Helen Elias, 80, of Tallahassee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 18, 2012.

She was born Virginia McGovern in Brooklyn, New York, on June 16, 1932. She married Richard V. Elias in 1953. They raised their family in Smithtown, New York, before moving to Florida in 1973.

She is survived by her children, Robert Victor Elias, Jeanne Helen Elias (and husband Craig Goss), Suzanne Elizabeth Elias, Barbara Ellen Bennett, Douglas Jack Elias, and Christianne Elias Wilmot (and husband Forrest Wilmot); her grandchildren, Joseph Richard Elias, Kyle Van Wyck Bennett, Jason Cameron Wilmot, Alexander Elias Wilmot, and Madelyn Carlee Elias; her sister, Anne Margaret Sullivan; her brother, John Joseph McGovern (and wife Patricia); her brother in law, Eugene Henri Elias (and wife Gail), and a host of nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard Van Wyck Elias; her mother, Helen Marie Pearce; her step father, Franklin T. Pearce; her mother in law, Elizabeth Lillian Elias; her father in law, Maurice Jacques Elias; and her brother in law, Gerard Gregory Sullivan.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, December 26, 2012, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Culley's Meadow Wood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 624 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Friday December 28, 2012, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the National Parks Foundation http://nationalparks.org or the charity of your choice.