Virginia M. Shea

VIRGINIA “GINNY” SHEA – 94, of Lynbrook, passed away on December 11. Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 6, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Paul R. Lang and Mary Lang (formerly Dwyer); the stepdaughter of the late Rosamond Lang, and the loving wife of the late John “Jack” Shea.

A graduate of St. Agnes High School in Rockville Center and St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, Ginny worked as a newsletter editor at Norcross Greeting Cards in Manhattan before starting her family, and later was a teacher’s aide at Davison Avenue School in Lynbrook. She was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes in Malverne for 63 years, and a longtime member of the Rosary Altar Society, the Malverne Women’s Club and Malverne Seniors.

Ginny’s family was the center of her life, as she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include a son, Jack Shea, of Fairfield, Ct. and his wife Sallyanne Ryan; and two daughters, Nancy Shea Starkenburg of Silver Spring, Md. and her husband Bruce, and Eileen Shea McDermott of Westfield, N.J. and her husband Shane. Ginny adored her seven grandchildren: Julianne and Johnny Shea; Robbie and Molly Starkenburg; and Kevin, Mary and Bridget McDermott. She also leaves a sister, Susan James and her husband, Bob, of Williamsburg, Va.; two brothers, Tony Lang and his wife, Cathy, of Bowie, Md., and Stephen Lang of North Babylon, N.Y., and 16 nieces and nephews.

Ginny taught her family the importance of having strong values and lifelong friends. As her sister Susan said in a recent birthday tribute video, Ginny was Gracious, Intelligent, Naturally Nice, and Young at heart. She always was up for new adventures, even in  her 10th decade, when she mastered the I-phone and traveled to family occasions in Chicago, Portland, Maine,  West Virginia and New Paltz, N.Y., home of her niece Stacie and her husband Barry.

Ginny took great pride in her garden, which she delighted in showing to neighbors and friends. She loved the beach, and was a 56-year member of the Ocean Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, N.Y., where she loved to host her children and grandchildren.

Friends may call at Flinch & Bruns Funeral Home, 34 Hempstead Ave., Lynbrook on Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 2-6 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Malverne, N.Y. at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, with interment will follow at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, NY.  Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Our Lady of Lourdes, 65 Wright Ave., Malverne, N.Y. 11565, or to Companions of St. Anthony, 12290 Folly Quarter Rd, Ellicott City, Md 21042.  A celebration of Ginny’s life will be held in 2021 at a date/venue to be determined. Please note: Masks are required of all visitors.  Please be mindful that visitors are to be respectful to those who may be waiting to visit by keeping your stay brief if possible.  Similar requirements are also in place at the Church.