Virginia "Ginny" M. Philbin

Virginia "Ginny" Philbin (nee Walton) was whipsmart, social, sassy and strong. Graduating in 1942 from Duquesne University as the May Queen, she eloped with a WWII GI, Leo P. Philbin, with her mother Bess's support but against her father James' wishes. The birth of their first child, Leo III, changed her dad's heart & mind. They reared 4 additional children: Regina Horn (Barry), Gary Philbin (Glenda), Connie Stitt (Jim), and Kathy Polivka (John). Ginny's exceptional strength of character was never more apparent than after her husband died at a young age. She became a realtor and worked hard to give her children every advantage. Always bedecked & bedazzled in jewel tones, Ginny kept her abundant friends & family entertained with her quips. Driving past her future resting spot, a cemetery across the street from a Walgreens, she stated, "It's not lost on me that I'll be buried at the corner of 'happy & healthy.'" When asked one thing she'd do differently in her life, with a gleam in her eye, she deadpanned: "Rob a truck -- full of cash." Ginny had a complicated relationship with golf for 60 years, but stayed committed until she was 93 when she finally broke up with her clubs. Ginny was riding jet skis at age 88, winning and losing in bridge groups until she was 95, and won her age bracket in a 5k walk at 89. She acknowledged that the lack of competition allowed the victory. She stayed active and fit until her final days, even playing cornhole two weeks before her passing. She was proud of her 9 grandchildren: Colin Philbin (Dana), Caitlin Cunningham (Max), Nicole Stoltenberg (Todd), Kylie Philbin, Alex Polivka (Andrea Cooper), Brien Polivka (Johna), Elena Polivka, Jack Polivka, Anna Polivka and her 4 great grandsons. Donations can be made to the Duquesne Fund by mail or online, referencing the Virginia and Leo Philbin Scholarship, benefitting first generation college students. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Anderson Twp. on Saturday, Sept 4, at 10:30 AM. No Visitation.