Avis de décès de Mary-Virginia-Fogarty Willard

Mary Virginia Fogarty Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 23, 1918. She departed this life for the next on June 10, 2008, in Gadsden, which had been her home since 1955 following two years of residence in Buffalo, N.Y.She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Fogarty, Helen McMahon Fogarty Rose and a much loved stepfather, George Rose; her husband, William R. Willard Sr.; her granddaughter, Maureen Elizabeth Willard; her brother, Timothy Arthur Fogarty and his wife, Janet Fogarty; as well as their grandson, Daniel Patrick Fogarty; and her sister-in-law, Mary Lou Brown Coyle and her husband, Robert William Coyle.Survivors include her son, William R. "Bill" Willard (Mary Lee), Gadsden; grandson, Michael Padraic Willard, Gadsden; granddaughter, Shannon Marie Willard Mulder (Doug), Grand Haven, Mich.; and two great-grandsons, Jacob Michael Mulder and Samuel John Mulder, both of Grand Haven, Mich."Aunt Jeannie" as she was known to her 16 nieces and nephews and their numerous children, was a frequent correspondent, visitor, mentor and Christian role model. In addition, Mary Virginia maintained regular personal contact with a multitude of cousins and extended family members literally from coast-to-coast and around the world. Few if any birthdays, first communions, graduations or weddings ever failed to be recognized by at least a card and a small personal check or other appropriate gift.Mrs. Willard was graduated from Collinwood High School and Ursuline College for Women in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Cleveland, Buffalo and Gadsden prior to beginning her career of service as a social worker with the Alabama Department of Human Resources from which she retired as supervisor of Adult Services. Her high levels of professionalism and dedication were recognized soon after her retirement when she was appointed to serve as a member of the Etowah County Department of Human Resources Board - a position she was still proud to hold at the time of her death.Virginia firmly believed that her purpose on this earth was to "do unto others" and to serve her God, her church, her family, her friends and her community in ever changing levels of priority depending upon the then existing circumstances and needs. She was a stalwart of many religious, charitable and community organizations throughout her life.The Willard family wishes to express special thanks to those persons providing care and comfort to "Miss Virginia" in her final days: her "double cousin" and closest friend, Mary Jo Basile; nieces, Ginny Coyle Richie and Judee Fogarty Curley; Dr. Wilbon Bates, Dr. Lucian Newman Jr., Dr. Lucian Newman III, the nurses and staff of Riverview Regional Medical Center's seventh floor, Ms. Vale Shaw Bills, Mrs. Barbara Johnson, Mrs. Laura Bell, Mrs. Rosie Williams, Mrs. Para O'Kee and Mr. Dickson Miller and all employees of Amedisys Hospice Care.Pallbearers will be nephews, Patrick Coyle, Joseph Coyle and Vincent Coyle; cousins, James Basile, Tommy Basile and Bill Basile; cousins-in-law, Michael Levingood, Dennis Towhey and Joe Weatherington; and family friends, Frank Minogue and Randy Beason.The family requests that in lieu of sending flowers, friends make memorial donations to the Saint James Catholic Church Center for Concern, P.O. Box 29, Gadsden, AL 35902, or Rose Haven Shelter for Women, P.O. Box 1548, Gadsden, AL 35902.The family will receive friends at Saint James Catholic Church, 622 Chestnut St., Gadsden, from 5:30 to 7 tonight.A Rosary Service will follow at 7 p.m.Funeral Mass will be said at noon Saturday in Saint James Catholic Church with burial to follow in Forrest Cemetery.Collier-Butler Funeral Home directing.