Obituary of Virginia Sweeney

VIRGINIA GRACE SWEENEY Virginia Grace Sweeney passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 29, 2015. Ginny was born in Walkerville, Ontario, a beautiful little town on the Detroit River. Her family were prominent citizens in the town where she was raised to be a lady in the Edwardian tradition. She was never seen in public unless she was meticulously dressed. Virginia was frequently complimented on the beauty of her hair, makeup and fashion. She never owned a pair of blue jeans. Ginny was fiercely proud of her Canadian roots, in particular her home town of Walkerville. She never tired of telling everyone that she had had opportunities to relocate to the United States but, like her father, chose to be Canadian. She enjoyed the life of Walkerville; she was christened at St. Mary's Anglican Church, played with her grandparents at Pentilly Manor, attended King Edward Public School and Walkerville Collegiate, and played tennis at Willistead Manor. They were memories she cherished for the rest of her life. Ginny entered the world of business as a switch board operator at a small local Windsor firm, but later followed her sister and father to the Chrysler Corporation. When she retired from the work force to raise a family, she had risen to become the Secretary to the Treasurer. It was at Chrysler that she met her future husband D'Arcy, who had moved to the area from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Virginia and D'Arcy were married in Brantford, Ontario on July 9, 1948. Their love and devotion to one another would last for the next 67 years. Their backgrounds could not have been more different as he is a mechanical engineer who was raised in a small Prairie town and loved the outdoors. It never became an issue however, because at the heart of the marriage was the need for one another. The sight of Ginny, with her perfect hair and manicure, accompanying D'Arcy around construction sites, mechanical rooms, camping, fishing or, in later years, playing golf became the norm in their marriage. He was routinely seen driving her to Tuesday and Friday beauty parlour appointments. In 1957, the opportunity arose for Ginny and D'Arcy to relocate to Toronto. Although it meant leaving behind the family and place she loved, the family relocated to establish the business, D'Arcy Sweeney Limited, which was to become prominent in the HVAC industry in Ontario. Ginny adopted Toronto as her home with the same loyalty she held for Walkerville, because family was what she valued the most. Ginny and D'Arcy made a home that made all people feel welcome. She was the essence of warmth and generosity; and she topped it off with the wonderful meals that she made (her roast lamb was the best). Ginny was predeceased by her son D'Arcy Gregg. She leaves behind her surviving son, Gary (Julia), their children Shannon (Stephane), Patrick (Mischa) and Shawn; and Gregg's spouse Diane and grandchildren D'Arcy Kyle and Ryan. The one who always brought a smile to her face was her great-grandchild Finnegan (Shannon and Stephane) and his bisous. As she grew weaker in her final years, D'Arcy's entire life became centered on her care and enjoyment. As long as he was there, she was happy, their interdependence lasting until the end. We miss her dearly but carry her in our heart.... The family would like to thank Elsa Sabit, Yan Chan, Dr Edward Chiu, the palliative care nursing team and Dr. Daphne Grossman at North York General Hospital, sixth floor, for the kindness and support that they gave Ginny. We would also like to thank, on behalf of Ginny, Bobby Nasev, Thelma Tiango, Simone Breukel and last but not least Luzia DeMelo for a life time of friendship. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to North York General Hospital Foundation. There will be a private family ceremony. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.