Mary Virginia Probst

Mary Virginia Barbara Probst was born September 9, 1927 and left this world for a new life on September 23, 2023 at the age of 96. She was born in New Orleans, and lived in Gramercy, Lafayette and Mandeville. All who knew Virginia, as she was called, agreed that she was one of a kind. The daughter of Samuel and Inez Barbara graduated at 15 years old from Eleanor McMain High School in New Orleans to work for the war effort at the U.S. Army Port of Embarkation. She met George Probst at an American Legion/USO dance in the French Quarter when he was on shore leave from the Coast Guard during World War II.

Virginia was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, George Probst Sr., her parents Sam Barbara and Inez Austin Barbara, brother Samuel Austin Barbara, and her oldest son George Probst Jr. She leaves behind three other children, Nancy (Wayne) St. Pierre of Lafayette, Lisa (Bill) Botzong of Cumming, Georgia, and Greg (Jana) Probst of Covington, LA. She was loved by nine grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Virginia went to work in the insurance and real estate business after raising her four children and started her own real estate brokerage in the 1970s. She was a pianist and devoted church organist at numerous Catholic churches, having gotten her start in music as a teenager by accompanying her father, Sam Barbara, at the Roosevelt Hotel and at Pat O'Brien's on St. Patrick's Days. She still enjoyed playing piano and organ until she was in her 90’s. Virginia loved music and dancing, even perfecting a Tina Turner impersonation at family events. She was rightfully called by those who knew her well, a force of nature.

The Probst family thanks the wonderful staff at St. Anthony’s Gardens in Covington and the Hospice team at St. Tammany Health System for giving loving care in her last days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Grace Funeral Home, 450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, LA 70433 on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 11:00 AM with visitation on beginning at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow Mass at Grace Funeral Home

Following the reception, Virginia will be laid to rest at Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 under the direction of Grace Funeral Home.