Virginia Atkins

Virginia Atkins, known as Ginny to her friends, joined her heavenly family and friends on January 12, 2026. Ginny saw many changes and had many stories to tell from her 100 years of life experiences. She told stories about growing up on the Niagara river, living through the Depression and World War II, visiting relatives in Canada, arriving in Florida by train on New Year’s Day and living there 3 times longer than living in New York.  

Ginny developed a love for nursing when her Great Aunt Margaret and mother massaged her polio-stricken leg when she was 3 years old leaving no sign of polio later in life. Ginny followed Aunt Margaret’s footsteps becoming a registered nurse. She was the last living graduate of Millard Filmore’s (Buffalo, NY) class of 1946. Ginny moved to St. Petersburg on January 1, 1947. She began nursing at Mound Park Hospital (Bayfront), then St. Anthony’s, and ended her 29-year career with Drs. George and Clyde Anderson. She often proudly shared that she and another nurse opened the first recovery room at St. Anthony’s. Ginny was a nurse at heart not only caring for private duty patients and patients on hospital wards but also her mother, father, husband, daughter and friends and neighbors.  

After retiring from nursing, Ginny found a new love in china painting. She was an active member of local, state, and world china painting guilds, taught china painting, and valued lifelong friendships that she formed with fellow china painters. 

Ginny was a loving wife to Ted and a wonderful mother to Sue and Sandy. She willingly bragged about her daughters whenever she got a chance. Ginny is a descendent of a long, hearty line of Niagara Frontier pioneering families. They worked hard, supported each other, sang and laughed whenever they were together. She and her father would accompany holiday sings at their homes on the organ and piano, always in the key of F. She was even a member of the Pearly Gators (Sweet Adelines) quartet that took 3rd place in international competition in 1953.  

Ginny lived a long and happy life. She is survived by her daughters Suzanne (Sue) and Dr. Sandra Atkins (Sandy), both of St. Petersburg, many nieces and nephews, and cousins who share that pioneering spirit.  

Since so many joined in celebrating Ginny’s 100th birthday through cards, calls, and attending her Culver’s party, we will have a small, graveside gathering (Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Petersburg) at 10 am on Tuesday, January 20.

In memory of Ginny, hug your family and friends, find a way to care for others, sing a song, laugh at bad jokes, and give to groups meaningful to you. If you’d like to give in memory of Ginny, that would be wonderful. Pinellas Suncoast Hospice is dear to our hearts. They helped both Ted and Ginny transition from angels on earth to angels in heaven.