Virginia Anne O'Toole's Obituary
Ms. Virginia Anne O’Toole, 83, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, November 20, 2016. She was born on December 19, 1932, and raised in Muskegon, Michigan, to Thomas P. and Virginia (Martin) O’Toole. She graduated from St. Jean Baptiste School in Muskegon, and attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Chicago, Illinois. She married Dale P. Brautigam on September 28, 1957 at St. Jean Baptiste Church. They lived in Muskegon, had three children, moved to Albuquerque (New Mexico), then returned to Michigan to Spring Lake and Bloomfield Hills, and back to Muskegon County along beautiful Lake Michigan.
Virginia led a vibrant life, devoting herself to her family and treasuring the company of friends. She was an active member of the National Organization of Women (NOW). Her influence on her daughters and nieces on women’s issue was significant and she never hesitated to be an advocate with her brothers and nephews. She was a true partner with her husband and was his driver on most business trips. In turn, Dale attended many NOW conferences and political events with her. In August 2016, Virginia was elected as a delegate for the Muskegon County Democratic Party caucus.
Blue Lake Public Radio played daily throughout Virginia’s home. She was a true nature lover and traveler, visiting gardens and nurseries around the world. Her self-designed and created Japanese garden at her Lake Michigan home was a testament to her talents. It showcased sunsets and cookouts shared with family, friends and visitors from across the country. She devoted endless hours of tending her property and keeping her garden beautiful.
Virginia is survived by her son Philip C. (Janice) Brautigam; her daughter Christine A. Brautigam; her grandson, Joseph Dale Gruber; her granddaughters Chloe K. Gessner and Anastasia E. Gruber; son-in-law Kenneth Gessner; brother Michael J. O’Toole; sisters-in-law Nancy (Poplar) O’Toole and Bonnie (Leo) Nau; brother-in-law Corey (Dorothy) Brautigam; and many nieces and nephews and life-long friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale P. Brautigam; her daughter, Nora E. Gessner; her brothers Thomas J. O’Toole, Martin L. O’Toole, Patrick C. O’Toole and Brian E. O’Toole; her sisters-in-law Patricia (Schimke) O’Toole, Genevieve (Szczesny) O’Toole, and Loretta (Musser) O’Toole; and son-in-law Joseph M. Gruber.
An Irish wake to mark the passing of Virginia will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sytsema Lee Chapel 6291 S. Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI. At 6:30 pm, family and friends will be invited to share a memory or a story honoring Virginia. All are asked to bring a photo of those that Virginia loved that have left us or those that cannot attend. Drinks and light refreshments will be served. In-lieu-of flowers, please make donations to the Grand Rapids Chapter of the National Organization of Women or to Democracy Now!
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