Obituary of Virginia McKavish

McKavish - Virginia (Roberts), 86, well-known Ebensburg beautician, passed away on November 28th, 2005. Born November 30, 1918 in Wherum, one of eleven children, to Salvatore and Rosina (Pizza) Roberts of proud Italian heritage. Preceded in death by husband, Stanley; daughter, Virginia "Ginny" Giannone, grandson-in-law, Jeffrey L. Henson and her siblings Angeline, Dan, James, Frank, William, Anthony and Joseph, former Cambria County Commissioner, Survived by children, Dr. Kathy, wife of George Puskar, Pittsburgh; Randy, married to the former Barb Urish and Patty, wife of Chuck Tarwater, of Ebensburg. Proud grandmother of Tricia Giannone Henson, Randy Michael, Ryan, Melissa, and Rayme McKavish, Stacey Puskar, and Trevor Tarwater, great-grandmother of Amani and Collin, and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Sister of Emma Mikoch, Jenny Granire, and Margaret Kowalski, of Cresson Virginia was a woman of determination and resilience, raising four children, while coping with her husband's death of age 36. Virginia's life long career as beautician included her own beauty shop and over 50 years of service as hairdresser for Askew-Houser Funeral Homes. Virginia had a unique rapport with friends, customers, and the community, always offering a warm cup of coffee, a listening ear, and a helping hand to all. Member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, Italian Heritage Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday at Askew-Houser Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held Wednesday evening. Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at Holy Name Church, the Rev. Msgr. Arnold L. Gaus, celebrant. Committal at Holy Name Cemetery. Virginia's courage, spunk and witty humor will be forever remembered and treasured. Her strength and embracement of life and its challenges was an inspiration to us all. Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and mentor will be dearly missed, and her strong spirit will remain with us forever. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Name Church or the Jeffrey L. Henson Foundation via the family.