Virginia McElroy passed away on Tuesday afternoon, October 30, 2007 at the Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks, Nevada. She was 81.

Virginia was born July 30, 1926 in Warren, Rhode Island to the Navy family of Raymond and Elsie Finan. She was the sixth of thirteen children. The family moved from the east coast and settled in San Diego where Virginia graduated from high school at the age of 15. She took her first of many jobs when she went to work at a movie theater in San Diego.

Virigina had two sons from a previous marriage before finding her true love of her life, Albert McElroy. Together, they had four more children. Virigina was a woman with great character, a fiesty spirit and was never one to hold her tongue nor was she a person that pretended she was nothing less than a woman with a great love for her family and her friends. The capacity of her love was boundless. She shared with everyone, especially the friends of her children, who also all called her Mom. No matter that she had a large family to begin with; there was always room for more in her home. She shared with her neighbors and her friends at the Fernley Senior Center, where Virginia went to work after her husband, Albert passed away. She spent some 14 years at the center working as a volunteer and then as a board member. She was a blessing to those in need.

She is survived by her children, Dennis and wife Marti Hussong of El Cajon, CA, John and his wife Gwen Hussong of Carson City, NV, Debra Griffith of Harbor City, CA, David and his wife Angie McElroy of Gardnerville, NV, Eric and his wife Lisa McElroy of Fernley, NV and Al and his wife Teri McElroy of Fernley, NV; her sisters Ann Goss of Tucson, AZ and Else Fuller of Carson City, NV; her brothers, Norman Finan of LaRenchow, LA and Paul and his wife Marge Finan of Gardnerville, NV; her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Max Love, Jason Hussong, Jennifer Ruddy, Katherine and husband John Darden, Amanda Griffth, Allison Griffith, Blake McElroy, Carson and wife Mary McElroy, Shilo McElroy, Garrett McElroy, Drake and wife Hilary McElroy, Cody McElroy, Ean McElroy, Zack McElroy, Emily Ruddy, Blaise McElroy, Marlo McElroy, Makayla McElroy and Kaia McElroy. She was preceded in death by her parents, eight brothers and sisters and her husband Albert who passed away in 1994.

Family memorial services have been held. Cremation was under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, Nevada 89447 (775) 463-2911. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.FRFH.net.

Now that she has joined her true love, they will be together forever-arm in arm, watching over us all.

A poem by Washington Irving
There is sacredness in tears...
They are not the mark of weakness, but power.
They speak more eloquently tha ten thousand tongues...
They are the messengers of overwelming grief...and unspeakable love.

Family and friends may make a donation in her name to the Fernley Senior Center 1170 W. Newlands Drive Fernley, Nevada 89408.