Virginia “Ginny” P. Walkowski

Virginia P. Walkowski, age 96 of Pinconning, Michigan passed away at Stratford Place Assisted Living in Rochester Hills, Michigan on September 29, 2021. She was born Virginia Bishop Payne in River Rouge, Michigan on June 22, 1925, the daughter of Bernie and Annie (Bishop) Payne. She is predeceased by her loving husband Andrew Walkowski, her parents of Walnut, North Carolina, and brothers and sisters in laws, Clyde Eugene (Dorothy) Payne of Marietta Georgia, Frank Howell (June) Payne of Allen Park, MI, Aubrey (Alma) Payne of Lincoln Park, Michigan and Harry D. Payne of Walnut, North Carolina. Her parents had moved to Michigan where her father worked in the Automotive Industry. They earned enough to buy a farm in North Carolina where they were originally from. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved to the beautiful mountain community of Walnut, North Carolina. After her graduation from Walnut High School in 1943, Ginny went to work for the FBI in Washington D.C. There she met Andrew “Andy” Walkowski, who was stationed in Washington DC with the U.S. Navy. They were married on April 13, 1947, and they shared 67 years together. She continued to work for the FBI until the birth of their son Michael on July 4th 1952. Shortly after, they were reassigned with the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Naval Station in Key West, Florida. She loved the beautiful weather, the scenery, and the seafood. She had many stories about their time in the Keys, including patrolling Key West with Andy and the Navy Shore Patrol during a hurricane. Andy retired from the U.S. Navy in 1960 and the family moved to Pinconning, Andy’s boyhood home. She was a homemaker and was the Secretary to the Principal of Pinconning Elementary School for 13 years. She belonged to the Pinconning Women’s Club and the Pinconning VFW Auxiliary. She bowled on several bowling leagues over the years. She and Andy were avid golfers. They were long time members of Maple Leaf Golf Course in Linwood, MI. Ginny golfed on several area golf leagues over the years. Andy was a good golfer, but she had bragging rights on him, since she had more hole in ones than him, since she had two hole-in-ones. After she and Andy retired, they would spend several months in the winter, vacationing, golfing and sight-seeing in Florida and would also stop and see her brother Gene and his wife Dorothy and their family in Marietta Georgia and her brother Harry in Walnut N.C. She greatly enjoyed these trips and often spent time down south in the summer also. She had many stories of growing up on the farm, especially during the Great Depression. She was an avid reader and in her younger years enjoyed sewing and crafts. She and Andy also enjoyed playing cards. During the summers, they would have a chance to visit with her brothers Aubrey and Howell and their families in Michigan. Ginny and Andy also enjoyed traveling to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where they spent time at their Cabin near Newberry with many of their friends and relatives, as a part of the Mt. Forest Club. Virginia was a kind and gentle person with a quiet strength. She did not speak loudly and did not need to. She was genuinely interested in people and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Ginny and Andy enjoyed spending time with Mike and his wife Nancy, and her grandson’s Jay and Kyle. Left to cherish her memory are her son Michael (Nancy) Walkowski, Grandsons Jay (MK) and Kyle Walkowski, Great Grandsons Jackson and James Walkowski, and her nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Staff of The Care Team Hospice (especially Dawn, Sharon, and George) and Robin, Diane, and the wonderful Staff of The Stratford Place Assisted Living for their kind care of Virginia.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the National Kidney Foundation. Interment will be held Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 9 am at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan, with Chaplain Richard Klender presiding. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home, Pinconning, MI, was in charge of arrangements.