Virginia Brown Sweeny

Virginia Brown Sweeny

Highlands, NC - Virginia Brown Sweeny of Highlands, passed away October 31 at her residence.

Virginia was born in Florence, SC on November 5, 1917, a daughter of Leroy K and Virginia K. Brown. She attended the public schools in Florence, and in 1935 entered Furman University. At Furman she participated in the Bach and Chapel Choirs, was a member of the Student Government Association, and was elected into Zetosophia, the honorary scholastic fraternity. She graduated in 1939 with a BA degree in Music.

Ginny and Jim Sweeny were married on April 19, 1941. Their first son was born while Jim was in India during the war. After his return to civilian life, they lived in Pittsfield and Lenox, MA and Baltimore, MC, where Ginny made a home for their growing family. In Pittsfield she was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, participated in United Way fund drives,m and was inducted into PEO. She was also a member of the Lenox, MA Congregational Church. Throughout Jim’s career in GE, she was a gracious hostess to his business associates and to their many friends, and in his retirement, she was his dearest friend and companion until in her nineties, when an advanced case of arthritis and heart complications finally took their toll.

Ginny Sweeny died at home in Highlands, NC on October 31, 2009. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Survivors include her husband; their three children, James O. Sweeny,Jr and wife Barbara of Oldsmar, FL, V. Kee Howles and husband Jeffrey of Schenectady,NY and Robert M. Sweeny of Charleston, SC; two grandsons and two granddaughters. Memorials may be made to the Highlands-Cashiers Hospice, PO Box 190, Highlands, NC 28741

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.