Virginia Ann Markey passed away peacefully at home on December 21, 2020 at age 92.

Virginia was born on December 19, 1928, in Detroit to the late Anna and Hugh McPhee.

Beloved wife of the late James Leo Markey, II.

She leaves behind to honor her life and memory her loving children Jim (Melissa) Markey, Jerry (Diane) Markey, Mari-Kay (Dan) Haubert, JoEllyn (Bob) Smith, Jane (Ed) Hurley, Carolyn (Gary) Garfield, Jennifer (Dean) Saylor, Judy (Phil) Fortino, Patrick (Karin) Markey.

Beloved grandmother of Katie, Amy, Joshua, Jim, Karen, Patricia, Greg, Ryan, Blake, Meredith, Emily, Caroline, Claire, Sam and Laura.

Caring aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Mom had many loves and passions but first and foremost was her love of family, both immediate and extended. She always said that in-law jokes would be wasted on her because she had no experiences with anything like that. They were family. Her love of caring for others was exemplified in her nursing career which spanned 50 years. She worked at the bedside, as a supervisor and taught at the local college but always said the best years were caring for patients at the bedside. She said it gave her the greatest satisfaction to meet their physical and emotional needs.

Mom always told me that we, as kids, never went through the terrible 2's or 3's. We just had great imaginations and independence. She didn't believe that kids and grandkids should be seen and not heard. She loved the sound of their laughter and hearing about their daring adventures. You would frequently find her joining in their crazy games. She loved watching them in dance recitals, ice skating, horse shows, and music concerts. She was always up for a trip to the wildlife safari park to feed the animals or Disney, where we would ride It's a Small World After All as many times as we could.

Mom's second love was learning, through books, trips and experiences. My mom had the soul of a romantic. She was an avid reader and would lose herself in a book, feeling like one of the characters. She always said the greatest gift was being able to use your imagination. Growing up it was a day trip every Sunday to a museum or new place to explore. She never let age slow her down; learning to belly dance when she was 74, cliff climbing and kayaking at 80 and doing yoga with us girls at 90.

We have great memories of family trips across this great nation, frequently camping. She learned a lot after her first trip with my dad when they got married and brought their best clothes with them. Neighbor campers had to help them put up their tent. In later years she could put up a tent in a monsoon even if they did end up sleeping on a picnic table. We would go berry picking so she could make home made pies over the fire and spend the evening watching for bears at the local dump site.

Mom loved all the seasons; skiing in winter, watching fall color changes but her favorite was spring time when the gardens came to life. She refused to wear gloves so that she could feel of the earth in her hands. My mom had the most amazing gardens no matter where we lived. Whether growing Rose's (her favorite) or vegetable for canning, she was always experimenting. Some were delicious like her canned spice peaches we had at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Others like homemade dandelion wine were a little more unique.

Raising 9 kids is no easy task especially in the early years when money was tight but my mom always found a way. Whether it was making our own special treats (her home made fudge and hot fudge sauce) or decorating on a dime. Frequently this meant moving furniture to give a room a new look. This was quite an adventure when it included moving my mom's baby grand piano. Her girls continue this practice to the chagrin of their spouses.

Mom grew up in a house where you did all your own sewing, baking, wall papering, wiring of vacuums and repairing of lights so she never saw a project as something she couldn't do. Growing up there was always some room being updated or remodeled. Something she also passed on to all her kids. Don't think there has ever been a time when one or more of us doesn't have a project going. When we replaced her deck a few years ago she was out there using the jackhammer with us on the old patio.

Mom was also an artist. When we were small she would bring her canvases and oils on our camping trips so she could paint. Later, as life got busier, she turned to decorating. There are so many memories of shopping with mom. Her house was always dressed to the nines. She loved to shop and find a bargain. She knew every second hand and resale shop in the area. We are truly going to miss those adventures.

Due to COVID-19 funeral services will be private as joins her husband at Great Lakes Natioal Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to her favorite charity "SmileTrain" or charity of your choice.