Virginia Medina

On August 17, 2024, Virginia Medina, of Cypress, TX, passed away at the age of 55, after a long and inspiring battle with cancer. Virginia is survived by her loving family members: father, Isidro, and stepmother, Mica; siblings Sid, Victor, Patricia, Gabriel and Melissa; brothers-in law Luis and Steven; and nephews Joshua, Alex, Carlos and Baby Steven. Virginia passed away a short time after Juden Smith, her long-time partner and soulmate, passed away earlier this year. Virginia was also predeceased by her mother, Anastacia, who passed away in 2017.

Virginia was born in Upland, California, on June 3, 1969, and from the age of 6 she grew up in El Paso, Texas. She traveled far and wide personally and professionally. After spending her formative years in Texas, Virginia’s life brought her to Florida, Arizona, New York and Ohio, and eventually back to Texas. Along the way, she met many people who she impressed with her intelligence and wit, her consistent compassion for others, and her gentle loving nature. She was intrepid, and her thirst for knowledge and experience, as well as her success in business, translated into travel and adventure for her, which was her way of fulfilling her love for history and different cultures.

One of the most beautiful achievements of Virginia’s life was her relationship with Juden. She and Juden shared an unwavering, selfless commitment to each other, and they infused their lives, and those around them, with the beauty of their love and their generous, giving natures. In addition, throughout her life, Virginia kept and nurtured a deep commitment to her family. Wherever Virginia was and whatever she was doing, her thoughts remained focused on her family, and their well-being and the developments in their lives. Despite distance and other commitments, she was intent on “being there” for her family members. She remained connected to them, and they were the bedrock of her life. Virginia also made enduring relationships with friends who loved and cherished her. Thus, Virginia was surrounded by the deep love of many, which was a mirror that came back from the deep well of love which Virginia felt for and was able to share with others. She was known for the way she extended herself with compassion and understanding, and without judgment.

Virginia also experienced considerable academic success and professional success as a lawyer and businesswoman. She received a B.A. in 1991 from the University of North Texas, where she attended college on a partial academic and track scholarship (as a cross-country runner). Virginia continued to run throughout her life, first on her own and then with Juden and family, and she even continued to run after the onset of her illness. She later earned her J.D. in 1996 from St. John’s University School of Law and an LL.M. (Tax) in 1998 from the John Marshall School of Law. After graduating from John Marshall, Virginia started practicing law in New York City. Over her legal career, Virginia held positions with some of the most prestigious law firms in the U.S. She started her legal career at the firm of Walter, Conston, Alexander & Green, which merged into Alston & Bird, and as she moved up the ranks she also held positions at Dewey & LeBoeuf and Jones Day. Ultimately, she achieved the position of Counsel at BakerHostetler in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, she also spent time as an in-house attorney for MetLife and Toyota.

Throughout her career as a lawyer, Virginia was highly respected and was often thought of as a “go-to” person in her area of specialty, which was Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits. Many of her colleagues remember Virginia’s sharp mind in the areas of tax and benefits law. Her ability to organize and synthetize complex matters and concepts impressed her clients and colleagues, as did her strong work ethic. Her work was considered meticulous.

Perhaps a most telling thing about Virginia is that among her colleagues she was known for her humility and her compassion for others. She was not satisfied simply to practice law. Rather, Virginia extended herself as a mentor and friend to more junior lawyers, and also focused much attention on pro bono work for people facing challenging life circumstances. Virginia’s own professional mentor often noted that Virginia’s way of concentrating on the positive qualities in her colleagues, and even her adversaries, was simply remarkable and unique. She did this consistently: for those who thought ill or negatively about someone, Virginia would often ask to look from another angle, and to see the good or potential positive qualities of a person, or the challenges they may have faced. That spoke volumes to Virginia’s strength of character and her core humanity, and was a beautiful commentary on her family. Virginia’s mentor also tells the story of how he hired her again and again (they followed each other in their careers), but he had a hard time getting to work with Virginia because she was often in great demand by so many clients and colleagues who wanted her professional time and attention. Yet Virginia retained her sense of humor, leaving her former colleagues with many stories about how she made them laugh even in stressful times.

Aside from her legal practice, for a period of time Virginia followed her entrepreneurial spirit and started her own business named Street Chronicle. She created bespoke travel guides for walking tours in major cities, with each tour putting the location in the context of its unique history dating back centuries. Virginia was a scholar of American history, and in many circles she had the most well-versed and insightful understanding of the impact of historical events. Yet with her hallmark humility, Virginia did not seek to show off her knowledge but instead tried in her humble way to share it with those around her. After she left legal practice to focus on her illness, she tapped into her passion for organizing home and office spaces. She had plans to become a professional organizer once she was clear of cancer. There was no limit to what Virginia was capable of doing.

Virginia and her family grew up believing in God while attending church in their younger years. Her desire to know and learn more of this faith was inspired by her sister Patricia (Virginia’s beloved “Patsy”), who often shared her deeper relationship with God. Virginia began to want more understanding and knowledge of the Bible. This new journey was by far her best accomplishment to know that God had given her so many talents and gifts that others were able to love and receive as a benefit. Virginia often asked her sister to share her experiences of faith in Christ. As a result of her wanting to know more, she accepted the relationship of Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her brother Victor, who had a special place in Virginia’s heart and who she loved like with all of her being, also encouraged her on this new journey.

In sum, although Virginia’s passed away at the age of 55, hers was an exceptionally full, blessed life, filled with love and success, and with a deep connection to her family and loved ones, and an abiding respect of her professional peers. Her passing creates a huge void for her family members – as a daughter and sister, and sister-in-law and aunt – and for Juden’s family and Virginia’s friends. Yet those who love her, and who were privileged to be loved by her, will carry that love within them. Her spirit and kindness and compassion will live on in them.

A funeral service for Virginia will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Katy Funeral Home, 23350 Kingsland Blvd, KATY, TX 77494. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Forest Park Southwest Cemetery, 9040 FM359, Richmond, TX 77406.