November 2020
Virginia “Ginny” McGrath, F87335, truly enjoyed helping people. That was reflected in the profession she chose, teaching children with special needs. And it was reflected in the many volunteer roles she took on for FMCA.
“She would help anyone,” said Jim McGrath, one of her three sons. “Anyone she would meet was like an instant friend.”
Ginny, who served as FMCA national vice president, Great Lakes Area, from 2003 to 2006, died August 9, 2020, at her winter home in Lake Wales, Florida. The Mansfield, Ohio, resident was 86. Her late husband, Don McGrath, was national vice president, Midwest Area, from 1996 to 2000.
“She was a very spunky woman, very enthusiastic about FMCA,” said William Gowen, a former FMCA national treasurer (1995-1998) and national vice president, Northeast Area (1999-2003).
Ross Boyer said Ginny always exhibited a positive attitude when conducting FMCA’s business. He succeeded her as FMCA national vice president, Great Lakes Area (2006-2010), after she encouraged him to run for the seat.
Ginny also served on FMCA committees, including the Nominating Committee from 2007 to 2009; Member Recruitment Committee from 2004-2006; and Convention and Rally Subcommittee from 2003 to 2005.
The McGraths attended many FMCA conventions and rallies, often with their grandchildren. The couple volunteered with parking crews and assisted people with special needs. They hosted rallies for the Midwest Coachmen chapter. In addition, Ginny held crafts seminars at Great Lakes, Southeast, and Eastern area rallies.
All of her volunteer efforts for FMCA happened after she was diagnosed with melanoma — the most serious type of skin cancer — in the 1980s. During visits to the doctor, she met others undergoing treatment for the disease. Many of them died.
“My dad was convinced they should do some traveling, since Mom had gone through this and they didn’t really know how long she was going to live,” Jim said. So, one day, Don came home with a motorhome. “Look what I bought!” he said.
The couple joined FMCA and hit the road. “As far as I know, they went to all 48 contiguous states in the U.S. at some point or another, and made friends in every state,” Jim said.
Ginny was the more outgoing of the two, Jim said. “She’d see somebody with a coach, and if she didn’t see the FMCA (emblem), she’d go up and talk to them about (FMCA). She was always selling.”
Ginny ended up outliving her husband by 15 years. Don died in 2005 during Ginny’s tenure as national vice president.
Some people weren’t shy about telling her that she had no chance of being elected to a seat on FMCA’s male-dominated Executive Board, Jim said. But through her travels, she had met and befriended many FMCA members, which gave her confidence. So, when she was told she couldn’t win, she responded: “Watch me.”
Survivors include her sons Bill, Jim, and Dale; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations can be made to Bok Tower Gardens, www.boktowergardens.org.