PASADENA, CALIF.—Virginia Dix McGinnes Webb of Pasadena, Calif., passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 14, 2021, while surrounded by her family. She was 90 years old.
Born at Bertrand, she was the daughter of Thomas Dix and Aileen McGinnes. She was educated at St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock (1947) and in 1952 she was declared queen of the Lancaster County Tri-Centennial celebration.
She attended Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where she received a bachelor’s in political science in 1951. She then attended the University of Virginia, receiving a master’s in international relations (1953).
She left Virginia in 1953, and spent the rest of her life in Southern California. She taught high school at Alhambra, Calif., for 19 years. After retiring from teaching, Virginia got her real estate license and was active on the local planning commission. She was a lifelong member of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. She worked diligently as a board member and former board chair of Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services.
In a life filled with service, travel and adventure, she found time to teach history, to advocate in her community, and to raise three children, Edward Webb and Tom Webb (Susan Webb) of South Pasadena, Calif., and Aileen (Ali) Webb (Keith Kehlbeck) of White Stone, who survive her. A much-loved mother, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of six, she will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Virginia was preceded in death by her second husband, Alfred DeLeo. Their 12-year marriage was filled with their shared loved of travel, dancing and family. Virginia became close to Alfred’s four children, their spouses and grandchildren.
Her parents and her brother, Franklin Pierce McGinnes, and his wife, Nancy Hubbard McGinnes, predeceased her. Her former spouse, and father of her children, Richard Webb, also predeceased her. She had remained close to her niece, Anne Cheek (David Cheek) of Irvington.
An avid reader, especially Agatha Christie, Virginia loved going to movies, plays and concerts with friends. She was a lifetime subscriber to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Virginia traveled all over the world including an exploration of every continent except Antarctica. She especially enjoyed her trips to the Galapagos Island, trekking in Nepal and a trip to India. She had a sharp wit that could simultaneously entertain and educate, and in later years displayed a legendary sweet tooth with a passion for chocolate. With her love of history, she would be comforted by the thought that “love makes memory eternal.”
She will be interred at St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in Lancaster, where she grew up. A memorial service will be held later at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena and at graveside at St Mary’s. Memorial contributions may be made to League of Women Voters Pasadena Area, www.mylwv.org, or The Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library.
