Virginia Lee McGinn

Virginia Lee McGinn, our beloved Mom, Grandma and Gigi (Great grandma), passed peacefully from this life at the age of 96 on August 10, 2026, at her home in Westminster, Colorado.

Born to Nadine (Alms) and Donald Sleeth on October 13, 1929, in Cole Camp Missouri, Virginia, was one of six children. She grew up on her Daddy Jack and Granny Alms’ farm and moved to Denver, Colorado as a young girl seeking the dry Colorado climate thought to be helpful for her mother’s asthma. Virginia later attended East High School and transferred to Union High School in Westminster where she met the love of her life, Jim McGinn.

Virginia and Jim McGinn were married on June 23, 1947, and together they built a life and a family, raising ten children. They were extremely proud of their children and family and loved each one of us so much! We remember her as a kind, patient and loving mother who set strict expectations and ran a tight ship. Mom enjoyed ironing clothes and if you weren’t careful, she’d iron a crease in your jeans! Our mother raised us to value family, hard work, empathy and the importance of helping others. There was always room for more in our home and at our dining table. How she managed to feed a family of twelve, plus whoever dropped by, on a tight budget remains a mystery to us all. Mom was a wonderful cook, and we fondly remember her amazing homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and fried chicken. Her casseroles were legendary as were Sunday night dinners of popcorn and apples-a family tradition!

Our mother was outgoing and curious about everything. She loved to talk with others about themselves and their lives. Game nights, family gatherings, holidays and epic parties at the McGinn house were always fun, created memories and brought Mom great joy. She was active for years in the Holy Trinity Altar and Rosary Society. She and Jim were active in the Westminster Elks Club and Westminster High School Tomahawk Club as well and made lifelong friends with many other members.

While we were growing up Mom provided home day care for children from several families over the years and once the youngest of us were in elementary school, she worked in the public school system as well as in the catering and restaurant business. Always a hard worker, she had a private business cleaning both homes and business offices. She loved hunting for antiques and had an antique booth in Denver and another at the Brass Armadillo in Wheat Ridge, Colorado for several years.

Mom was beautiful, funny, extremely intelligent and creative but was very humble when it came to her many talents and abilities. She was able to skip a grade in school, graduated a year early and remained a life-long learner. She was a prolific reader and interested in many subjects. Mom influenced us to read at an early age, and we developed a love of reading, exploring facets of different worlds and the ability to enjoy the past and present from different perspectives. Over time the collection of books at the McGinn house became an informal lending library for family and friends to share favorites and compare notes about authors and books. Her creations included seed bead bouquets, button art, hand sewn Christmas angels, stained glass windows, dried and pressed flower art, hand stitched quilts, homemade wine and jelly, handmade rugs and many beautiful oil paintings. Gifted with a green thumb, Virginia loved gardening and could revive any bedraggled plant. Her dishes made with zucchini from the garden were legendary and the blossoms in her flowerbeds gave her joy even in her final days.

Virginia was preceded in death by Jim her husband of nearly 60 years, a grandson, Patrick McGinn, son in law, Jack Whitmer, her brothers Al and Kenny Sleeth, and her sisters Joyce Plummer and Donna Brown.

She is survived by:

Her children:

Kathy Whitmer (Jack), Mike McGinn (Belinda), Rick McGinn (Jane), Tess McGinn (Rick), Tom McGinn (Trish), Liz McGinn, Ann Ribbens (Doug), Karen McGinn, Christy Math (Max), and Patty Gerhardt (Gerry).

Twenty-four grandchildren:

Jason Whitmer, Kelly Whitmer, Adam Whitmer, Kerry Smith, Devin McGinn, Corey McGinn, Brendan McGinn, Aaron McGinn, Meghan Shimkat, Molly Nosal, Michelle McGinn, Jenni McGinn, Jack McGinn, Delaney McGinn, Hilary Ribbens, Amelia Madden, Autumn Ribbens, Christopher Sand, Julie Sand, Kyle Sand, Eric Math, Katie Guillory, Ryan Math and Joshua Sanders.

In addition, Virginia is survived by thirty-three great-grandchildren with another on the way, and one great great-grandchild! She also leaves behind a sister, Sue Montoya and a multitude of special and much-loved nieces, nephews, and other relatives and dear friends.

She is free from suffering and will always be remembered and missed by the many people she loved and influenced!

If desired, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following in memory of Virginia:

Denver Public Library

Online: Donate - Denver Public Library Friends Foundation

Mail a check to:

Denver Public Library Friends Foundation

10 W. 14th Avenue Parkway

Denver, CO 80204

ChildSafe Colorado

Online: Donate | ChildSafe Colorado

Humane Colorado Veterinary Hospital at CSU Spur

Online: https://donate.humanecolorado.org/

Mail a check to:

Humane Colorado

2080 S. Quebec St.

Denver, CO 80231-3298