Virginia M. Grover

Niskayuna - Virginia Marie Grover, known as “Ginny” to family and friends, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on March 22, 2026.

Ginny was born on June 30, 1932 to Daniel and Mildred (Phelan) Redmond in Berwyn, PA, where she grew up with her four brothers and a large extended family.

The small town of Berwyn was her home for 29 years. It was where she met the love of her life, Anson Roy Grover Jr., at her childhood parish of St. Monica’s Church, where she was the organist and choir director. As Roy was often home on weekends to visit his parents (also members of the parish), Ginny encouraged him to join the choir. They were married at the church Feb. 11, 1961, the beginning of 56 years together.

In addition to her family and her Catholic faith, music was a big part of Ginny’s life. After graduating from Villa Maria Academy, she earned her BA in music at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, where she was the class treasurer and Glee Club president. While working as an executive secretary at Paoli Bank, she decided to pursue her music certification at West Chester State Teacher’s College. For four years, she taught vocal and instrumental music at area schools, and earned her MA in education at Villanova University in 1961.

After marrying and settling first in Plainfield and then Martinsville, NJ, Ginny and Roy had four children before moving to Schenectady, NY in 1973. In Martinsville, Ginny served as the church organist at Blessed Sacrament Parish. In Schenectady, she and Roy were members of the choir at the former St Helen’s Church (now St Kateri Tekakwitha), and Ginny was a substitute organist, often playing for weddings, funerals and church school functions. Ginny and Roy formed close and lasting friendships through their almost 50 years of attending and volunteering with their parish. Ginny was a regular at morning mass and an active member of the Bereavement Ministry well past her 90th birthday.

Outside the church, Ginny was a member of the Rosendale Estates Garden Club, serving as president for a time, and enjoyed playing bridge but “only for fun.”

Once Roy retired, the pair were free to travel, including trips to California and Ireland, annual drives to Florida, and yearly fall excursions to their beloved Ogunquit, Maine. Their life was filled with visits from their kids and late-night gatherings with friends, almost always ending with a few songs sung around the piano.

Ginny was predeceased by her husband Roy and four brothers, Daniel, John, William and Robert. She is survived by her four children: Carolyn (Chris) Adams, Mary (Bill) Brandel, Andy (Tricia Rooney) Grover and Diane (Randy) Benedict. She also loved her 10 grandchildren, their spouses and fiancés, and one great grandson: Charlie, Joe and Anthony Adams; Liam (Anya Parauda) and Kate Brandel; Kerry (Eric) Bland, Anson (Genai Bittrich) and Mairead Grover; and Beth Benedict (James Tompkins), Sarah (Ryan) DeMarco and Jack Tyler DeMarco.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers—our “angels”—who surrounded Ginny with compassionate care in her final weeks.

Relatives and friends may call April 9, 4-7 pm, at Jones Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave, Colonie, NY. A funeral Mass will be celebrated April 10, at 10 am at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, Union St. Burial will follow at a later date in Berwyn, PA, where she will join her beloved Roy.

Contributions in Ginny’s memory can be made to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 2216 Rosa Rd., Schenectady, NY 12309 or City Mission of Schenectady, 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, NY 12305.To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.JonesFuneralny.com