Submitted by: Dan Rich

Virginia Makley

Jan. 15, 1914 - Sept. 12, 2008

South Bend Tribune 9/16/2008
MISHAWAKA - Virginia "Gin" Makley, 94, formerly of Mishawaka, died in her residence in Schaumburg, Illinois, on Friday, September 12, 2008. Virginia was born in Chicago and raised in Elkhart, Indiana. She lived much of her life in Mishawaka, IN, with her loving husband, Richard, who died in 1993. She died of natural causes that come with living for 94 years (94). Virginia was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, friend and human being. She was a 40-plus-year employee at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart. Virginia, one of ten (10) siblings, is survived by a brother, LeRoy "Shorty" Murphy, his wife, Annie of Elkhart, and a sister, Rita Dawson of Chicago, IL. Virginia had too many nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, close friends and beneficiaries of her volunteer work to mention. However, her niece, Teri Boland, and Teri's wonderful family gave Aunt Gin exceptional care and comfort during the last few years of her life. Of the many things Virginia loved to do, playing golf in the after-work league at Miles and making world class chocolate and peanut butter fudge for family and friends stood near the top of the list. Of course being there for her brothers and sisters and extended family is something she will also be remembered for by those who knew her best. Whether it was taking care of her loving husband in good times and not so good, babysitting extensively for one her nephew's son, Nicolas, visiting her sister, Cecelia "Ceal," at the nursing home every day, or helping her sister, Betty, deal with lung cancer and die peacefully at home, Virginia could always be counted on for support and unconditional love. Aunt Gin will be missed by her many friends and family members.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.