Virginia “"Ginny"” Brickley
February 24th, 1938 - November 1st, 2023
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"Ginny"'s Obituary
Virginia Brickley passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 85 on November 1, 2023. Ginny was a truly remarkable woman who left a lasting imprint on countless lives.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ginny loved her summers at the family cottage on Higgins Lake, spending quality time with her parents Harry and Marie Brickley and her four siblings. Following high school, Ginny entered the convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters where she took her vows and earned her college degree. She received a master’s degree in religious studies at Mundelein College in Chicago. In her early thirties, she left the IHM order and moved to Chicago. A natural-born educator, she embarked on a life-long career in education and training. Her professional journey took her from high school classrooms to successful roles in consulting and training at AARP, the Brickley Group (which she founded), and Harris Bank (currently Bank of Montreal).
Ginny’s true passion was her unwavering commitment to helping others. She dedicated countless hours of her time and her impeccable organizational skills to support various community service, social justice, and political organizations. Among her most cherished accomplishment was mentoring young people through the Big Brother Big Sister Organization, which recognized her as the Big Sister of the Year for the city of Chicago. She forged lasting relationships with those she guided.
In 1991, Ginny moved from Chicago to her charming blue house in Elmhurst, IL, becoming a beloved fixture in her neighborhood alongside her faithful dog, Livvy. The friendships she formed with her many neighbors endured throughout her lifetime. She was a gracious host to a parade of visiting family and friends, even adding on a guest floor suite to ensure their comfort. Ginny was the glue that kept the large extended Brickley family connected, always proudly sharing news of her nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Ginny’s large and devoted circle of friends from every facet of her life truly exemplified Charles Darwin’s sentiment that, “a person’s friendships are one of the best measures of his [her] worth.” By any measure, Ginny led an exceptionally worthwhile life.
Although Ginny sadly suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease in her later years, she never lost her charm or wit. When updated on recent news events by her nephew-in-law Paul Wahby, she quipped: “Well, this is certainly a jolly visit.”
Ginny’s kind and giving spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Ginny is preceded in death by her beloved parents, her cherished siblings Mary Kay Hickey, James H. Brickley, and Roberta (Bobbie) Casko, nephews Joseph Hickey and James Brickley, Jr., as well as her faithful canine companions Oscar and Livvy. She is survived by her sister Nancy Mayer Toal, brother-in-law Dr. John Casko, and a loving extended family of nieces and nephews, including Sharon (Hickey) Traeger, Pat Hickey, Nancy (Hickey) Maxwell, Dan Hickey, Maureen (Hickey) Owen, Ed Hickey, Paul Hickey, Janice Brickley, Bill Brickley, Brian Brickley, Kathy Brickley, Kelle Brickley, John Mayer, Vince Mayer, Mary Jane Mayer, Ginny Ayers, Julie Casko, John Casko, and David Casko.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at Laurel Oaks of South Haven, Michigan, where Ginny resided during her last year of life. Special thanks to her vast circle of family, neighbors, and friends who provided unwavering love, care, and humor throughout her illness, with special recognition to Kathy Brickley, Paul Wahby, and Ella Wahby (Kathy and Paul’s daughter), who became her primary caregivers, and Dan Hickey and Jennie Groves.
A Mass to honor Ginny will be held at 1:00 p.m., January 6, 2024, at St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, Michigan 49090. Fr. Richard Altine will officiate.
In honor of Ginny’s memory, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org. To view Ginny’s personal webpage please visit www.starksfamilyfuneralhomes.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes. 269-637-0333.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ginny loved her summers at the family cottage on Higgins Lake, spending quality time with her parents Harry and Marie Brickley and her four siblings. Following high school, Ginny entered the convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters where she took her vows and earned her college degree. She received a master’s degree in religious studies at Mundelein College in Chicago. In her early thirties, she left the IHM order and moved to Chicago. A natural-born educator, she embarked on a life-long career in education and training. Her professional journey took her from high school classrooms to successful roles in consulting and training at AARP, the Brickley Group (which she founded), and Harris Bank (currently Bank of Montreal).
Ginny’s true passion was her unwavering commitment to helping others. She dedicated countless hours of her time and her impeccable organizational skills to support various community service, social justice, and political organizations. Among her most cherished accomplishment was mentoring young people through the Big Brother Big Sister Organization, which recognized her as the Big Sister of the Year for the city of Chicago. She forged lasting relationships with those she guided.
In 1991, Ginny moved from Chicago to her charming blue house in Elmhurst, IL, becoming a beloved fixture in her neighborhood alongside her faithful dog, Livvy. The friendships she formed with her many neighbors endured throughout her lifetime. She was a gracious host to a parade of visiting family and friends, even adding on a guest floor suite to ensure their comfort. Ginny was the glue that kept the large extended Brickley family connected, always proudly sharing news of her nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Ginny’s large and devoted circle of friends from every facet of her life truly exemplified Charles Darwin’s sentiment that, “a person’s friendships are one of the best measures of his [her] worth.” By any measure, Ginny led an exceptionally worthwhile life.
Although Ginny sadly suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease in her later years, she never lost her charm or wit. When updated on recent news events by her nephew-in-law Paul Wahby, she quipped: “Well, this is certainly a jolly visit.”
Ginny’s kind and giving spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Ginny is preceded in death by her beloved parents, her cherished siblings Mary Kay Hickey, James H. Brickley, and Roberta (Bobbie) Casko, nephews Joseph Hickey and James Brickley, Jr., as well as her faithful canine companions Oscar and Livvy. She is survived by her sister Nancy Mayer Toal, brother-in-law Dr. John Casko, and a loving extended family of nieces and nephews, including Sharon (Hickey) Traeger, Pat Hickey, Nancy (Hickey) Maxwell, Dan Hickey, Maureen (Hickey) Owen, Ed Hickey, Paul Hickey, Janice Brickley, Bill Brickley, Brian Brickley, Kathy Brickley, Kelle Brickley, John Mayer, Vince Mayer, Mary Jane Mayer, Ginny Ayers, Julie Casko, John Casko, and David Casko.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at Laurel Oaks of South Haven, Michigan, where Ginny resided during her last year of life. Special thanks to her vast circle of family, neighbors, and friends who provided unwavering love, care, and humor throughout her illness, with special recognition to Kathy Brickley, Paul Wahby, and Ella Wahby (Kathy and Paul’s daughter), who became her primary caregivers, and Dan Hickey and Jennie Groves.
A Mass to honor Ginny will be held at 1:00 p.m., January 6, 2024, at St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd, South Haven, Michigan 49090. Fr. Richard Altine will officiate.
In honor of Ginny’s memory, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org. To view Ginny’s personal webpage please visit www.starksfamilyfuneralhomes.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes. 269-637-0333.
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