Virginia Westley

Virginia “Ginny” Westley, age 88, of Kalamazoo died on Monday, February 27, 2012 at her home. She was born on January 4, 1924 in Detroit, the daughter of Neil and Helen “Eva” Bush and graduated from Wayne State University in 1948 as the first recipient of a Bachelor’s Degree awarded by the college in the study of voice. For more than 10 years she performed in several Detroit Churches and was active in several music groups. Ginny was a loving Mother and was active in her children’s lives and school endeavors. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1964 and for many years she was a soloist in the St. Augustine Choir. She was also a member of the Society for Old Music, The Kalamazoo Singers, and The Thursday Morning Musicale Group. After marrying Robert Westley in 1949, Ginny learned to cook Polish food and her interest in cooking expanded to learning to cook cuisines from several other countries. She passed her love for music, art, and cooking to children, in-laws, and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Members of her family include her husband Robert; 5 children: Margaret (David) Battjes, Elizabeth Westley (Steven Mach), James (Cynthia), Matthew (Sandra), Catherine (Jerry) Smith; and 7 grandchildren. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 3 - 1:00 PM at St. Augustine Cathedral. The family will greet friends at a luncheon immediately following the service. Please visit Ginny’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900.