Virginia Valentine Wilbert, age 97, a longtime resident of Fair Haven, passed away peacefully at home with her family March 5, 2021. She was born Sept. 2, 1923, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Madeline and John Valentine. Ginny, as she was known to her family and friends, graduated from Fort Scott (Kansas) High School and received her associate degree in business from Fort Scott Community College in 1943. She was married March 21, 1945, to Edwin W. Wilbert of Pittsburg who predeceased her April 12, 1988.
Like most people of her generation, Virginia’s life was framed by the Great Depression and World War ll. While the men of her town went off to war, Virginia volunteered at the local USO with her future sister-in-law, Anna Marie. This spirit of patriotism and volunteerism would follow her throughout a life well-lived. When her young family moved to Wichita, Kansas, Virginia continued to volunteer at the Wichita USO and with the Air Force Reserve Officers Association. When the family moved to Fair Haven, Virginia volunteered and was active with the Monmouth County Museum, ARC, AAUW, the Church of the Nativity Parish, and the Newcomers’ Alumnae Club, to name a few.
Virginia loved socializing and traveling. She was an avid bridge player and a member of several bridge groups, even playing bridge up to the time of her passing. Her love for adventure began on her honeymoon when she and Ed took the train the day after their wedding celebration to Hendricks Army Airfield in Sebring, Florida. She traveled with her daughter Linda to Asia; she and Ed traveled to Greece to visit their daughter Sheryl; they traveled to Europe on several occasions to visit their sons, Randy and Gary, and their daughter Linda; and visited every state of the Lower 48. Other favorite things included daily crossword puzzles, mystery novels and hot air balloons, which she took flight in a few times.
Virginia enjoyed watching all sports. She was a forever fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and thought Stan Musial was the greatest ball player who ever lived. Ginny would attend a Monmouth Park race once a year, keeping tabs on the horses and jockeys throughout the season. She even relished the noise and pageantry of attending the Indianapolis 500.
In addition to her loving husband Ed, she was predeceased by her son-in-law, John G. McGill of Eatontown; her parents, Madeline and John Valentine of Pittsburg, Kansas; her sister Norma Dawson of Wichita, Kansas; three sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and two nieces and a nephew.
Most of all, Virginia loved time with her family. She was a true matriarch with her happiest times spent with family. She is survived by her beloved brother, John Valentine and his wife Laura of Oxford, Mississippi; her daughters, Sheryl McGill of Eatontown; and Linda Parish of Fair Haven; her sons, Randall Wilbert and his wife Jody of Winding River, North Carolina; and Gary Wilbert and his wife Marilyn of Saline, Michigan. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren whom she would refer to as her “baker’s dozen,” along with 16 great-grandchildren: Randall Wilbert, II and his wife Martine with their four children of Montreal, Canada; Jennifer McGill of Bear, Delaware; Kelle Kasky and her husband Matthew with their five children of Springfield, Virginia; Virginia White and her husband Bryan with their three children of Las Vegas, Nevada; Erin Gilliam and her husband John with their four children of Alexandria, Virginia; Vanessa Wilbert of Saline, Michigan; John Wilbert of Richmond, Virginia; Gary Wilbert ll of Troy, Alabama; Michael Wilbert and his wife Caitlin of Richmond, Virginia; Madeleine Parish of New York City; Edwin Wilbert and his wife Teri of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Catherine Parish of Fair Haven; and William Parish IV of Stanford, California. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 30 at the Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven. She will be interred with her husband at the family plot in Pittsburg, Kansas, at a later date.
Please visit Virginia’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the April 15 – 21, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
