Virginia M. Huxley (Ginny) spent her younger years in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia, attending Catholic school and church. Later, her parents, Thelma and Michael Joseph Davis, built a beautiful brick home in Bensalem, PA, where Ginny grew up with her older brother, Richard, and younger brother, Gerald. She often spoke about following her father around the garage, as his little apprentice, with a great interest in his tools and projects. The house was on a beautiful sloping ground with chickens, a dog named Suzy, and woods beyond a white wooden fence. Virginia loved her brothers, spending her days in the woods and riding her bike with a basket to a friend's house.
After graduating from Bensalem High School and while working at Lower Bucks County Hospital, Ginny met and married Bob Huxley. Their marriage was to last 58 years. They had many friends in the area, and purchased a house in the Cobalt Ridge section of Levittown, PA. They raised three children, Linda, Joan and Ed. Ginny stayed at home until Ed started kindergarten, enjoying the companionship of many close neighbors. They shared morning coffee time, babysitting co-ops, card clubs, bowling, backyard gatherings and more laughter than imaginable.
Ginny grew up visiting the Jersey shore with her family and shared this passion with her own husband and children. Every summer included visits to Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, NJ. The visits were mostly to the same petite yellow cottage on West 11th street. Bob and Ginny eventually purchased the cottage and continued the summertime tradition. The kids and grandkids were lovingly raised at the ocean, while eating bagels, clams, Wawa hoagies, corn on the cob, and pizza. On most evenings, the sunset was enjoyed over the bay. August included catching blue claw crabs and eating them on a newspaper-covered table. Friends and family were always welcomed with open arms and warm hearts. Joan had a brick placed at the bay with the words,“Gentle Spirits - Ginny and Bob Huxley”.
Virginia earned an Associates Degree from Bucks County Community College and a Real Estate Brokers License while working and raising a family. Bob and Ginny moved the family to the Forsythia Gate section of Levittown. After she worked in Real Estate, Kitchen Design and as a Children's Center teacher at the George School in Newtown, Ginny retired with Bob to Ship Bottom. They tore down the summer cottage and built a beautiful full time home. Ginny continued a part time job at the Between the Sheets linen/design shop.
At the onset of Ginny’s years at George School Children’s Center,she was asked if she wanted to attend Quaker meeting. One hour of quiet, away from the preschoolers…. This was a welcome idea that developed into the discovery of her and Bob’s spiritual home as members of the Fallsington Friends Quaker Meeting in Fallsington, PA.
Ginny never failed to return a smile and up the ante to joyous laughter. Her grandchildren best remember all of her twisted jokes that got them laughing and thinking, “I can’t believe she said that!” She was an exceptional mother and role model. She showered her children with love and support while teaching the importance of family, education and doing the right thing. Ginny's many gifts included a love of poetry; she often recited poems and lyrics to her family members. As a friend, she touched many lives with her insight, and her ability to always be up for a walk or visit, and by her kindness and frequent correspondence.
About six years ago, daughter Linda and her husband John found a home with a separate cottage in the Edgewater area, near Denver, CO. Ginny and Bob started spending the colder months in sunny Colorado amongst all of their children and grandchildren. This was an amazing family time with Mother’s Day picnics and lots of walks around Sloan’s Lake, and attendance at the Westside Worship Group of Mountain View Friends Meeting. In 2020, they did not return to NJ due to COVID and Ginny’s worsening symptoms of Alzheimer’s. As expected, she continued to be active and humorous and adored by her family.
Although the family had all supported her through the difficult challenges of encroaching Alzheimer’s over the years, Ginny’s final decline came with unexpected rapidity. She continued to be active during her four months in memory care and all looked forward to an expected vaccine and a time of truly being with her again. In the end, the immediate family was able to enter her room and sit in peace with her. Friends near and far will continue to be enveloped in her love.