Virginia Daniels, 90, formerly of Vero Beach, passed away on June 27, 2014.
She is survived by her seven children, Debra McCarthy, Diane (Richard) White, Thomas (Martha) Daniels, Edward (Julie) Daniels, Maureen (Gary) Fagin, Robert Daniels, and Gannon Daniels; 13 grandchildren, Dennis and David McCarthy, Richard and Erin White, Michael and Matthew Daniels, Lydia and Nicholas Keller, Emily, Jennifer, Joshua, and Ryan Fagin and Edward Foltz; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Dennis McCarthy, and 10 brothers and sisters.
She was born in Hartland, Mich., on Aug. 3, 1923, to Berchman and Kathrine (Bergin) Gannon. She was married to Edward Daniels in 1944 and they settled in Ypsilanti, Mich. where they raised their seven children.
She was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church and served on the National Council of Catholic Women for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She lived a full and happy life centered on church, family and friends.
Daniels was passionate about politics. She loved entertaining, a good party and a “good joke.” One friend accurately described her as “a proud Irish-Catholic Democrat who was never known to economize on faith, laughter and love.”
Her presence and lively spirit will be missed by many, especially her children, grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. Before the tragic loss of her husband in 1974, the couple had moved to Hawthorne Hills in Ann Arbor where they were members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitmore Lake. After Edward’s passing, Daniels became a successful Realtor in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area.
She retired to Vero Beach 20 years ago, where she attended Holy Cross Catholic Church. She recently returned to Michigan and was a resident at Vicinia Gardens, an assisted living facility in Fenton, where she was well cared for by a loving staff.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ypsilanti on Aug. 2, visitation will be held at 10 a.m. and funeral mass at 11 a.m.
If you wish, please send donations in Virginia’s name to Community Alliance of Washtenaw County, an agency that provides services to people with developmental disabilities: 1851 Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197: www.communityalliance.com.
