Virginia P. Gidley

Born May 7, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas to John Emil Platz and Harriett Jeannette Snook Platz. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, attended Texarkana Junior College matriculating to the University of Texas at Austin in 1951, where she earned a BA degree in Chemistry with Blue Stocking honors in English.

Upon graduation, she was hired by Humble Oil & Refining Company, a predecessor to ExxonMobil -- as one of the very first full-time female chemists.

Preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Dr. John Lynn Gidley, brothers John Emil Platz, Jr. and James Bernard Platz, and sister Harriet Platz Cook. She is survived by her children John Mark Gidley (Bridget), Carol Gidley Wright (Charlie), Dr. Paul William Gidley (Dr. Milvia Pleitez), Brian David Gidley, Allyson Gidley Morrison (Richard), and Neil P. Gidley (Maggie); and by her grandchildren John Callan Gidley, Edward Gidley, Elizabeth Gidley, Charlotte Gidley, Eliza Wright and Dalton Wright, Christopher Gabriel Gidley, Haley Morrison, Austin Morrison, John Morrison, Julia Morrison, Lauren Morrison, Colin Gidley, Olivia Gidley, Jacob Gidley; and step-grandchildren Danielle Gidley Coleson (Jared), George Gidley (Steven Dempsey), Travis Gidley, Jessica Gidley; and by step-great-grandchild Sebastian Coleson. Also surviving her are her sisters-in-law Wilma Platz of Leesburg VA and Margaret Clover of The Woodlands, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston TX 77210-4486; the John and Virginia Gidley Endowed Scholarship in Chemical Engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, 301 E. Dean Keeton, C2104, Austin TX 78712-0287; Holy Ghost Catholic Church (address below); or the charity of your choice.

The visitation will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018 (6 PM to 7 PM) at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home at 4525 Bissonnet St., Bellaire TX 77401 to be followed by a rosary at 7 PM. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday June 30, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 6921 Chetwood Drive, Houston, TX 77002. She will be interred at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.