Virginia Mary "Ginny" Byrd, age 50 of Kettering, OH, beloved wife, daughter and sister, after a three and a half year battle with ovarian cancer, left this life to enter into her heavenly life on March 8, 2016. Ginny is survived by her devoted husband of 15 years, Eric C. Byrd, and a large extended family, including her parents Michael and Mary Louise Gans, of Rome, NY, as well as four sisters, Olivia (Robert), Julie (Jon), Kathleen, and Margaret (Steven), and three brothers, Michael (Kevin), James, and William (Rachel). On her husband's side Ginny leaves her loving mother-in-law, Barbara Jozefowicz (Pat), father-in-law, Ray Byrd and sister-in-law, Miranda Shroyer (Bradley).
Ginny has twenty-four precious nieces and nephews and six great nieces and nephews.
Born in California in 1966 she moved with her family to New Jersey before she was one. Ginny went to St James Elementary School, Shore Regional H S, and was a graduate of the Red Bank Regional School of Theater Arts program in 1984. Ginny was a beautiful and talented actress and singer for several years on the Jersey Shore before moving to Ohio.
Ginny was a graduate of Wright State University where she had worked successfully in the office of Research Affairs at the Boonshoft School of Medicine since 2001. She worked for the National Right to Life Committee in the State Legislation and Medical Ethics departments from 1991 to 1995. While living in Washington DC, Ginny helped established a Bible study and prayer group that brought many members into the Catholic Church, many of whom remain friends to this day. Ginny belonged to Ascension Catholic Church in Kettering where she was a long-standing member of the adult choir.
She will be missed by all at the parish who had come to value her wise spirit, loving support and generous friendship. Ginny was loved deeply by all who knew her, including many childhood friends who remained close throughout her life. Ginny's constant smile was a gift of joy to all who knew her. Her violet eyes and happy heart will be greatly missed everyday by all who have known and loved her.
Mass of Christian burial on Monday, March 21, 10:30 AM at Ascension Catholic Church 2025 Woodman Dr, Kettering, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to National Right to Life Educational Fund or the Virginia Byrd Scholarship at Wright State University
