Virginia Farhat's Obituary
Virginia L. (Halsal) Farhat, age 79, died in her home Tuesday, November 23, 2004 after a long battle with lung cancer. Her husband, Edmund Farhat, former Muskegon Catholic Central football coach and lobbyist preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughters, Dianna and Debbie (Tony, Anthony, and Nicole Petrone), and her sons, David and Danny (Patrice Morse-Farhat), and her 4 grandchildren, Dori Schindlbeck, and Megan, Kelli and Bridget Farhat.
Virginia was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 3, 1925. She grew up in Mesick and Sherman, Michigan and lived and worked in Traverse City and Lansing before marrying Edmund Farhat and moving to Muskegon. Long before women held on-air positions in broadcasting, she worked as a radio announcer at WTCM in Traverse City and as a secretary for WILS radio in Lansing. Virginia was active in the Mercy Hospital Altar Guild, and participated in fundraising for Muskegon Catholic Central High School, St. Francis deSales Parish, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and numerous other civic and non-profit groups. She also volunteered for many people who ran for political office and played a major role in assisting her two children, Debbie and David, in their successful campaigns for State House of Representatives. She was an inspiration to all who knew her; not only in the way she lived her life, but also in the way she coped with cancer and faced the end of her life. The family would like to thank the Muskegon-Oceana Hospice staff and Virginia’s friends for their steadfast support and kindness during her illness. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Thomas G. Simons presiding. Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM Friday, November 26, 2004 at The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes,Inc.,1547 W. Sherman Blvd., and from 10-11 AM Saturday in the Marian Chapel at St. Francis. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com. Contributions in memory of Virginia Farhat can be made to the Muskegon County Catholic Education Foundation, or Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana.
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