Obituary: Virginia 'Ginny' Carol Loftis

Virginia “Ginny” Carol Loftis, 88, of Longboat Key, died Feb. 9.

Born Dec. 4, 1925, in Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Loftis was one of seven children and enjoyed caring for her younger siblings. She was nicknamed “Pinkie” after the dark-haired subject of the Thomas Lawrence painting of the same name. She met her future husband of 65 years, Jim, with whom she had six children, during their senior year of high school.

Mrs. Loftis devoted herself to raising her children. She is remembered for making her home her children’s social hub as they grew and touching the lives of many children in addition to her own with her chocolate-chip cookies and “door is always open” invitation.

Mrs. Loftis was preceded in death by her son, Paul Loftis. She is survived by her husband, James Sr.; daughters Judy Loftis and Jeanne Barr, both of Annapolis, Md., and Carol Brooks, of Potomac, Md.; sons James Loftis Jr., of Annapolis and Tim Loftis, of East Aurora, N.Y.; sister, Lois Hils, of Harbinger, N.C.; brother, Walter Monaghan, of Haymarket, Va.; and 13 grandchildren.

A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women’s Guild, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228.