32° and Clear
Image
Virginia Lee McBride, 94, of Franklin, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, surrounded by family. Virginia was born on January 21, 1931, in Fulton, Kentucky. Virginia moved to Detroit from Kentucky with her family at the age of 13. Virginia and her husband, Bill, settled in Garden City, Michigan, in 1962, where they raised their family. Virginia spent her final 15 years in Franklin, Massachusetts.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William McBride (d.2023), whom she married in 1954, and by her parents, Eldridge C. and Nanny Pearl Howell.
Virginia is survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Debra (Ed) McNamara, Amy (John) Wendell, and Beth (Paul) Newman; her seven grandchildren: Thomas (Amanda) McNamara, Emily (Stefan) Gagnon, Andrew (Jaclyn) Newman, Maureen (Steven) Roessel, Jaclyn (David) Chang, Madison Wendell, and Evan Wendell; her thirteen great-grandchildren; her sister Betty Jane Wilkinson; her brother-in-law Kenneth McBride; and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1949, earned her BSN and MSN from Wayne State University, and completed her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1985. She began her career as a community nurse for VNA and held various staff and leadership positions at Children’s Hospital, Wayne County Health Department, and as a school nurse in Taylor Schools. Virginia discovered her passion for pediatrics and education and began her teaching career at Wayne Community College. She then moved to Wayne State University and concluded her nursing career as the Assistant Dean of Nursing, retiring in 1993. She continued to offer her expertise by teaching courses at Mercy College and Madonna University.
After retirement, Virginia was called upon by Case Western Reserve University to assist in the education and training of nurses in Zimbabwe, a country in Africa. She made two separate trips to Africa and profoundly impacted students and their nursing program while gaining invaluable lessons herself. She also volunteered at the Covenant Care Community Clinic in southwest Detroit, continuing her lifelong commitment to service. Virginia’s dedication to healthcare and education touched countless lives. She will be remembered for her compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to her students and patients.
As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Virginia raised her family with the foundations of faith, love, and strength. Growing up near Appalachia, her upbringing provided her with tenacity, a willingness to work hard, and a deep-seated care for her family. Though she had a tough exterior, her love was felt through her actions; she made food and quilts for her family and loved ones to ensure they had full bellies and warm hearts. She loved to bring her family out to eat at Cracker Barrel as a treat and to ensure that, no matter where they grew up, they appreciated Southern-style food. She was a “baby whisperer” and always had a traditional family recipe ready for any holiday, from rolls to banana pudding. She was involved in many activities, from Bible studies and book clubs to quilting retreats, and she made many lasting friendships through these activities and her travels. Virginia wanted to live life to the fullest, and that meant constantly learning, following her faith, working to better the world around her, and showing her love for her family and friends. She will be missed deeply.
A celebration of life will held on Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 11:00am at Medway Community Church, located at 196 Main Street, Medway, MA 02053. Luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following:
• Straight Ahead Ministries (a faith based organization offering a community of care for justice-involved youth) at straightahead.org
• The Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England at sbagreaterne.org
To Virginia: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin(ginleyfuneralhomes.com).
