Obituary of Virginia Frederick

Virginia "Ginny " Ruth Frederick, 79, passed away of heart failure on Monday, August 16, 2010. Virginia was born April 15, 1931, in Schenectady, NY, to the late Clarence Francis and Ruth Mary Capen Frederick. She attended St. Joseph's School for 12 years, and City College. She had worked for the State of New York Fingerprint Division and the General Electric Company, and was co-owner of an antique business. Virginia's favorite occupation was as teacher, mentor and owner of Frederick's School of Music. She also taught music lessons at her home. She played guitar and sang in many bands and was the lead in "Ginny and the Generations. " A guitar prodigy, she was proudest to have performed on radio in her teens and in various venues across the state. She had a heart of gold with a steel memory that made her a family historian and information gold mine. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She often attended Mount Carmel Church as choir member and guitarist. She was compassionate, an animal lover, a huge Yankees fan, and a great friend. Virginia was preceded in death by her little sister, Marlene; brother-in-law, Bob; nephew, Ricky; and goddaughter, Kathy. She will be terribly missed by her survivors, her beloved sister, Joyce McDonald; her devoted brother, Clarence "Bud" Frederick (Phyllis); family patriarch, Uncle Donald Frederick (Mary); caring Aunt Marie Frederick, all of New York; heart-broken daughter and son-in-law, Jean-Ann and Fred Helm of Texas; nieces, Lisa Voelker (Scott), Michelle Angelo (Matt), and Melissa Berghammer (John); nephews, Michael Frederick (Cathy), Richard Frederick ( Carla), Danny Frederick (Kim), and Mark Maranville (Carrie). Virginia leaves 16 darling great-nieces and nephews, special cousins and lifetime friends, Cathy White, and Rosemary and Bob Sullivan; and former band member and friend, George Soltysiak. Special thanks are extended to all of Virginia's former aides who cared for her during her illness. Funeral service will be on Friday morning at 10 a.m. from the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClelllan St., and 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. An hour of visitation will precede the service from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society, SPCA, or the St. Joseph's Church Restoration Fund.