Obituary of Virginia W. McConnon

Virginia Wilson McConnon, 79, of 4465 Baker Street Ext., Lakewood, died Saturday, February 11, 2012 in her home. She was born July 20, 1932 in Aberdeen, SD, a daughter of the late Lavern C. and Janette Schmidt Fix. Ginny was Valedictorian of her 1950 class of Ipswich High School and graduated from South Dakota State, magna cum laude, in 1954. She completed a dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospitals in 1955. An area resident since 1973, she was a consulting registered dietician for the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging from 1975 until her retirement in 1989. Ginny was an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, where she served in the church choir, Council, Diaconate and as Church Clerk. She served on the Boards of Directors of the Chautauqua Region Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hall Memorial Housing Corporation and Chautauqua Adult Day Care Center; with Meals On Wheels Consortium of Chautauqua County; and was a member of the Mary Chilton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Sioux Falls, SD, Lakewood Women's Club and various bridge groups. Prior to moving to Lakewood, Mrs. McConnon served as Therapeutic Dietician at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN and as Chief Dietician at Riley County Hospital in Manhattan, KS. While living in Merriam, KS, Harrisonburg, VA and Hasting-on-Hudson, NY she was active as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Parent-Teacher Associations, Cub Scouts, Sunday School and Bible School teacher and church choir member. Ginny was a member of the American Dietetic Association, New York Dietetic Association, Aging Services Dieticians of New York State and Western New York Dietetic Association, serving in various capacities in those organizations. She was a former member and officer of the American Association of University Women. She was also listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges" in 1954 and was named Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1966 and Chautauqua County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1995. Surviving is her husband, Thomas J. McConnon, whom she married October 28, 1955 in the Congregational Church of Ipswich, SD; three sons: James R. (Colleen) McConnon of Westport, CT, John T. (Diane) McConnon of Houston, TX and Paul W. (Rosie) McConnon of Apopka, FL; six grandchildren: Evan McConnon of Danbury, CT, Patrick McConnon of San Diego, CA, Steven and Stephanie McConnon of Apopka, FL and Bradley and Sarah Virginia McConnon of Houston, TX. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Angus G. McConnon and a brother, Arthur Fix and sister, Meriam Stegner. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced by the Lind Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials may be made to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 316 E. 4th St., Jamestown, NY 14701.