Virginia Irene Gilson went home to the Lord on June 6, 2015 at the age of 86.

She loved and is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Harold, son Steven Gilson (Cathy), daughter Linda Belokonny (Dave), son Raymond Gilson (Sharon), brother Ralph Troup (Marian), sister-in-law Beverly Gilson, nephew Robert Gilson, niece Sharla Gilson, as well as grandchildren Patrick Gilson (Christy), Joshua Belokonny (Talitha), Valerie Gilson, Hannah Vander Velde (John), Noah Gilson, Lisa Gilson, and Grace Gilson, and great grandchildren Parker, Mason, and Kailey Hubbard, Kayla Gilson, Dylan Gilson, and Levi, Emme, and Coen Belokonny. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharon Marie Gilson, brothers Alden and Douglas Troup, granddaughters Karoline, Irene, and Anna Belokonny, grandson Mark Gilson, and brother-in law Robert Gilson (Bev).

Virginia was born to Wesley and Mary Irene Troup at her home in Detroit, Michigan on August 1, 1928. She graduated from Central High School in Detroit in 1945. As a teen, she worked at Sanders Chocolate as a candy sorter. From there, she went on to work at Chrysler Corporation as an engineering secretary.

In 1950, she met Harold Gilson, a mechanic for the Detroit Department of Street Railways (DSR) and they married the following April. When her first child was born, she left Chrysler to devote her life to being a dedicated wife to Harold and mother to the couple’s three children, Steve, Linda, and Ray.

Virginia loved the Lord, having accepted Jesus as a young child. She raised her children to be strong in their faith, just as she and Harold were.

The couple shared a love for all sports but especially hockey, given that Virginia loved skating and Harold played hockey. Virginia rarely missed Harold’s games, and got great joy watching her children and grandchildren played hockey, volleyball, baseball, and softball.

Throughout her life, Virginia was an active volunteer. For over 20 years, she and her best friend, Marge Bamford, volunteered at Detroit’s Friendship House. She was also active in her church, Covenant Baptist Church, where she was a regular volunteer in both the nursery and kitchen. Virginia and Harold enjoyed many exciting social activities with their Bible Heirs Sunday School class.

In 1960, the couple built their cottage on Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada, with money Virginia had carefully saved from Harold’s earnings. Throughout the next 40+ years, it was the center of their social and family activities. Countless family and Bible Heirs events were spent enjoying the shores of Lake Erie. Days started early with big breakfasts for the big crowds, then the children would help their Dad with projects, which was followed by lunch, and then play. With her family, Virginia enjoyed volleyball, basketball, and football in the water, going on the sailboat, playing pinochle, and roasting s’mores on the fire.

Everyone who crossed paths with Virginia loved her sweet, loving personality, and her ability to always see the good in everyone. She was known for being strongly loyal to her family, giving of herself, putting others first, and loving to serve her family in practical ways. Harold worked long days, including a second job in the evenings, and Virginia tended to all of the children’s needs. It was a tradition that dinner was on the table when Harold came home between jobs so the family could spend time together.

Her family was her life. From her husband, to her children, to her 8 grandchildren and her 8 great grandchildren, she loved them all and enjoyed spending time playing with them. She enjoyed baking and found it important that Steve and Ray be able to manage in the kitchen, and Linda was her constant companion in the weekend baking for the family.

Virginia was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed playing cards, swimming in the lake, ice skating, traveling, and playing baseball after dinner at the cottage. She was a skilled pianist and particularly loved the song, You Are My Sunshine. She was generous, goofy, thoughtful, easily excitable, and had a very tender heart.

Virginia and Harold’s love for each other was always strong. He was “her man” and she was “my love”. Their marriage was a shining example of love, kindness, respect, and deep devotion.

Visitation Tuesday 4-8pm at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills. In State Wednesday 9:45am-10:45am with service at 11am at Covenant Baptist Church, 5800 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675 (855) 448-3997 or Covenant Baptist Church: Organ Refurbishment Fund, 5800 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield Township 48322.