Duffey

Mrs. Virginia Kemper Bish Duffey of Butler passed away peacefully at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008, surrounded by her beloved family.

Born in Butler on July 7, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Aloysius J. and Ida Hinchberger Kemper.

Mrs. Duffey was an honor graduate of Butler High School Class of 1938, the Butler Business College and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She was offered an elite apprenticeship in the Garment District of New York City for design but chose to remain in Butler, close to her family. She was then employed by the Signal Corps in Washington, D.C., during WWII and the display advertising department of the Butler Eagle.

Virginia was a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church and St. Peter's Women's Council in Butler. She served on the board of directors of the Butler YWCA and was also a member of the Butler Intermediate League, the Republican Women and the League of Women Voters.

She treasured her family, and she loved animals. Her hobbies included swimming, yoga, gardening, art, bridge, theater, travel and most of all, spending time with her family and friends.

Surviving Virginia are her beloved daughter, Dr. Ginney K. Duffey; son-in-law Glenn Kovac; her treasured grandchildren, Viktor John and Tatiana Virginia Duffey of Franklin Park; and her sister, Mrs. Harry (Ethel) Hammond of Denton, Md.

Sisters Helen (Mrs. Lawrence May), Mary (Mrs. Tom Roney), and brother Bernard Kemper preceded her in death.

She left behind many beloved nieces and nephews and their families, especially her godson, L. Michael May of Pittsburgh, William V. and Thomas J. May of Butler, Maryann May Cella of California and Thomas Gealey of Pittsburgh.

Her husband, John B. Duffey III, preceded her in death on March 23, 1992.

Her first husband, Howard R. Bish, died in 1949.

<B>DUFFEY</B> - There will be no visitation. A funeral mass will take place at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Butler, at 10 a.m. July 7, 2008, Virginia's 88th birthday.The Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. James F. Murphy, a beloved family friend. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery with a reception following in St. Peter's Social Hall in Butler.Arrangements are by the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.Memorial donations may be made to Animal Friends of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, Animal Rescue League, Butler County Humane Society or Butler Hospice.