Virginia Mary Golden was born on October 29th, 1955, in Bronxville NY. At the age of 5, she moved with her family to Garden City, NY where she lived in her family home for 49 years. She attended kindergarten in Garden City, then transferred to the Rosemary Kennedy school in Bellmore, which she attended until the age of 18, which enabled her to receive a certificate from Garden City High School.

She had many enterprises throughout her life as she was creative, industrious, and an incredible salesperson. She sold bracelets, chocolates, and goody-bags. She also collected mail and packages for neighbors, was a ticket-taker at the Children’s Museum in Uniondale, and she loved her mother’s-helpers jobs.

While her industrious nature was impressive, she was most known for the way she lived life openly, enthusiastically, and completely present in the moment. Especially, her heart revealed itself constantly in every interaction with people. Her honesty and vulnerability were an irresistible combination that drew people in instantly and brought out the best in others, too. 

She relied on the community around her to provide support, and they did so willingly as the force of her heart and soul pretty much left others no choice but to become enraptured. She, and my entire family were always greatly appreciative of the support she received from our neighbors on Roderick Lane, in the Garden City community and by the blessed professionals at Extraordinary People In Care (EPIC) who managed her group home and daily activities at their headquarters in East Meadow. Simply put, Virginia’s heart reached out, and the communities around her responded fully. As a result, her heart grew and grew and she paid the community back with an incessant smile and as an example of living life to it fullest. 

She will be missed tremendously by so many, especially her brother James, sister-in-law Elizabeth, by Eleanor; life-partner of her brother , Jerry, and her nephews Danny and Billy, and niece Grace.

May she rest peacefully in heaven with her family that predeceased her; her parents Virginia and Matthew Golden, her brother, Jerry, her adored grandparents Helen and Charles Dowd, and aunt Janet Golden and uncles Charles Dowd and Jack Golden.