Virginia J. McHugh

Virginia McHugh-affectionately known as Ginny, GG, Mom, Grandma, or Grandma Ginny—passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025. She was surrounded by her four children who loved and cherished her as the strong, warm and resilient woman she was.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Ginny was the beloved only child of Detective Lt. Philip and Eva Griffin.

She grew up in a lively, three-story home with her grandparents, Flossie and Charles Stetson, who lived on the third floor and her uncle and aunt, Chick and Evelyn Lynes, on the first floor. With cousins Lynn and Barry, she played from apartment to apartment in this big multigenerational home that helped shape her love of family.

Ginny was a graduate of Cathedral High in Springfield. Like many women of her time, she married young.

While her children have occasionally wondered how their father, Paul Keleher, outmaneuvered all her other suitors, they were married in 1956. Her first two children, Joanne and Jim, were born 11 months apart— classic Irish Twins. Their third child, David, soon followed. Proof of Ginny's resilience is that as Paul pursued his BA at Boston College and then his MBA at Wharton, she was pretty much left to raise three children under the age of four on her own. All three children managed to survive. The family was finally complete when their fourth child, Peter, was born.

Paul passed in 1989. Years later, Ginny met George McHugh and in 2004 they were married. She often referred to George as the love of her life. They easily blended family and friends. They could be found many evenings listening to Jerry G. play piano at Aronimink Golf Club as they enjoyed a Chardonnay and The Famous Grouse. (Actually, several glasses of Chardonnay and The Famous Grouse.) George passed in May 2008 and a little light went out of her eyes.

Ginny was a woman of many talents. Her home fries and icebox cake were legendary. She could recite the alphabet backwards without missing a letter. Her witty, personalized poems, created decades before Chat GPT, hold a place of honor in many of her family's homes. She painted landscapes, was among the first aerobic dance enthusiasts, and by age 40 rocked beautiful white hair that somehow made her look cooler and younger than everyone else.

Ginny was a treasured mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. Always patient, never a scold, she didn't believe in the idea of inflicting guilt. But Ginny had grit, too. She kept her family together and solid, even during some chaotic times. We will miss her bright blue eyes, ready smile and easy laugh.

Ginny is survived by her four children: Joanne (Bradley), Jim (Nancy), David (Sandy), and Peter (Michael); She embraced the role of stepmother to Kathy (Michael), George (Maggie) Jim (Trish) and was preceded in death by Honey; She loved being grandmother to Alex, Annie, Kate, Griffin, Phoebe, and Luke, as well as Christopher, Colleen, Kevin, Connor, Joe, Barbara, Caroline, Grace, Bryan, Sarah, Jack, Maura, Natalie, and Brooks. Plus, nine great-grandchildren and counting. She was also a cherished "Aunt Ginny" to Larry.

The funeral service will be private.