The Life of VIRGINIA WILLEY BIRMINGHAM

 

Of Pittsburgh, loving mother, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, October 17, 2014. Ginnie graduated from Winchester-Thurston in 1957 and Vassar College in 1961 then earned a Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962. After starting her family, she decided she wanted to make a difference in the world and went to the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. After graduation she practiced family law and helped battered women. This led to her involvement in various women's shelters in the area. Aside from the law, Virginia was an avid bridge player, loved traveling, and enjoyed spending time with her dog, Maverick. But Virginia's true passion was her family. She is survived by a sister, Julie Haase of Dallas, TX, who she travelled the world with; four children, Julia Lawson (James), John (Kathy), both of Pittsburgh, Beth LaBlanc (Mike) of Phoenix, AZ, and Carolyn Smith (Gwyeth) of New York; she is also survived by 12 grandchildren who she adored more than anything, Thomas, Emilie, and Alex Lawson, Maddie and Patrick Birmingham, Amy, Mika and Lucas LaBlanc, and "Gigi's Final Four" Charlie, Owen, Andrew, and Benjamin Smith. Funeral Services private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to two foundations dear to Virginia's heart, The National Fragile X Foundation (www.fragilex.org) or the American Diabetes Association ( www.diabetes.org ) Arrangements entrusted to the ANTHONY M. MUSMANNO FUNERAL HOME, INC. 
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