VIRGINIA HELEN (née HEINTZMANN) McKABNEY, age 98, died on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Hampton, Virginia.  The widow of Donald Lee McKabney, she is survived by her daughter, Donna Lee McKabney Farrell of Hampton; granddaughters Melinda Blythe Farrell Smith (Soren) of Poquoson, Virginia, Maura Anne Farrell Kelly (James "Jay") of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Rachael Marie Farrell Colella (Nicholas "Nick") of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and great-grandchildren Ella Elizabeth, Audrey Victoria and Charlotte Reese Smith, James William "Liam" and Sloane Elizabeth Kelly, and Quinn Alyson and Landon Micah Colella.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Oscar George and Virginia Juanita McKey Heintzmann and her sister Betty Jean Heintzmann Swyers.  She is also survived by cherished nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, and, having been raised in a household of extended family, by her cousin, Eileen Lauretta Knight Clarkson, and predeceased by cousins Dorothy Grace Knight, Mary Frances Knight Waltke, and Arthur Harry Knight.

Born on April 16, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, Virginia graduated from Normandy High School in 1945, and attended the Margaret Hickey School for Secretaries.  She and Don McKabney were married May 29, 1948, at Kingshighway Presbyterian Church, sharing a life of love and laughter until his death on April 23, 1981.  She was the long-time Girl Scout leader of Troop 2118 and repeatedly a Gibson Elementary School room mother before returning to secretarial work in the administration offices of Riverview Gardens School District.  She considered St. Louis – where she lived until 2013 -- the best place in the world, and no amount of discussion could convince her otherwise.

Virginia faithfully retained her membership at Trinity Presbyterian Church, University City, after relocating, while finding friendship in Hampton at Community Presbyterian Church.  She was former president of the Creve Coeur Garden Club and a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Hampton Chapter.

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 23, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur.  Memorial service at the Funeral Home, Monday, June 24, 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, 801 E. Spruce St., Jerseyville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Virginia DAR State Regent's Project, supporting two Virginia organizations dedicated to providing custom trained service dogs free of charge to disabled veterans would be most appreciated.  Please make any checks out to: "State Treasurer, VADAR," and send to State Regent's Project, c/o Betty Wright Wade, 314 College Circle, Staunton, VA 24401.