Virginia Miriam Halden, age 91, an Austin, Texas native, passed away on Wednesday, January 20 in her hometown. Born on January 29, 1929 to parents Virginia (Kavanagh) Halden and Edgar R. Halden Sr., she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1946. That same year she went on to study art at the University of Texas where she was a member of the swim team and Phi Mu sorority.
In 1948, Virginia entered the religious life with the Dominican Sisters and later completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston, Texas, then earned her Master of Arts degree from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind. in 1969.
Virginia’s love of art and teaching brought her to multiple schools over the course of her professional life as an educator. These included St. Mary’s Catholic School in Taylor, Texas (1956), St. Francis De Sales Catholic School in Riverside, Calif. (1960), and St. Austin’s Catholic School in Austin, Texas (1965). Virginia settled in San Antonio, Texas, in 1970 until 1992, teaching at various educational institutions in that city’s ISD. She authored a well-received textbook on art during that time.
Of her many skills and activities, Virginia especially enjoyed drawing in pastels, and playing both the piano and self-taught guitar. A devout Christian, she was a long-time active member of St. Austin’s Catholic Church, and later, Saint Louis King of France Catholic Church.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents and brother James Halden, all of Austin, Texas, and brother E. Richard Halden Jr. MD of Fort Worth, Texas. She is survived by her brother Wm. J. Halden MD of Austin, Texas, 11 nieces and nephews, and 15 great-nieces and great-nephews.
The visitation will be 6:00 pm and Rosary will be 7:00 pm on Friday, January 29, 2021 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78705.
The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Saint Louis King of France Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Rd, Austin, Texas 78757, with interment following at Mount Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Virginia asked for donations to be made to one’s favorite charity.
