Virginia R. Mctighe

There's Sunshine in a Smile

Life is a mixture
of sunshine and rain,
Laughter and pleasure,
teardrops and pain.
All days can't be bright,
but it's certainly true,
There was never a cloud
the sun didn't shine through.
So just keep on smiling
whatever betide you,
Secure in the knowledge
God is always beside you.
And you'll find when you smile
your day will be brighter
And all of your burdens
will seem so much lighter.
For each time you smile
you will find it is true
Somebody, somewhere
will smile back at you.
And nothing on earth
can make life more worthwhile
Than the sunshine and warmth
of a beautiful smile.

-Author Unknown


Virginia "Ginny" passed peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Ginny was predeceased by her parents, Elmer and Mary Sird, her step-father John Follett, her brother William, brother-in-law Charles Russell, and preterm grandchildren Tory and Trevor LaFreniere. Ginny is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Tom, and her four children Bill, Heather (Tony LaFreniere), Ginger (Brent Critchley), Sharon (Matthew Lum), and her adoring dog Jenna. She will be dearly missed by her sisters Alice Russell and Gail (Bill Calhoun), Ginny was blessed with five grandchildren: Ashley, Tyler, Ewan, Fiona, and Maira.

Ginny treasured her family and close friends. She loved taking walks, admiring nature, and found great joy in gardening and maintaining her beautiful home in Irondequoit, NY that she and her husband Tom had built after they were married. Ginny was born and raised in Palmer, MA where she met Tom, a Norwich University graduate from Irondequoit. Tom meant the world to Ginny and was an incredible, hardworking, and dedicated husband to her, especially after he took on the role of caregiver for her the last several years. Ginny was thoughtful, loving, humble, generous, and kind to everyone she met. Throughout the years, she came to adopt the "smiley face" symbol as her own. She eventually placed smiley face items on everything from her car antenna to stickers on her personal possessions that her husband and children would "borrow" and forget to return.

Ginny volunteered every Friday for decades at Rochester General Hospital as well as crocheted hats for babies departing the hospital. She planted and maintained gardens at Summerville Presbyterian Church and Seneca school for many years as part of her participation in the local Garden Club. She enjoyed the company of her neighborhood and Sewing Club friends. Ginny was fond of spending time with her husband Tom at their cottage in Springwater, NY going for hikes and ATV rides in the woods. Later in life, they spent winters at their home in Holiday, FL working in their yard together and taking walks around the neighborhood and area parks.

Ginny spent many hours loving, caring for, and being entertained by her grandchildren. They loved her equally and will miss her presence dearly.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Marla Bruns, Leann Cudo, Cassie Titus, the 4400 staff at Unity Hospital, the staff and volunteers at Hildebrandt Hospice, and her numerous caregivers for their compassion towards Ginny.

No services or calling hours. Private family burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ginny's memory be made to either:

The Alzheimers Association
200 Meridian Centre Blvd. Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14618
or click this link to donate: Alzheimers Association

Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester
99 Victor Road
Fairport, NY 14450
or click this link to donate: Lollypop Farm.

Bless me, heavenly Father,
forgive my erring ways,
Grant me strength to serve Thee,
put purpose in my days...
Give me understanding
enough to make me kind
So I may judge all people
with my heart and not my mind...
And teach me to be patient
in everything I do,
Content to trust your wisdom
and to follow after You...
And help me when I falter
and hear me when I pray
And receive me in Thy Kingdom
to dwell with Thee some day.

-Author Unknown