Obituary for Mary Elizabeth Givens (Virtue)
Mary Elizabeth Virtue “Mimi” Givens, aged 98, died peacefully Thursday, February 17, 2022, at home surrounded by family and a loving caretaker. Mimi was born on July 1, 1923, in East Orange, NJ. She was the only child of the late Frederick Unger Virtue and Edith Julia Plutshak Virtue. She was proceeded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Buck Givens. Mimi is survived by their four children, Samuel Virtue (Myra, (decd.); Jeanie), John Charlton (Tricia), Charles Gordon (Mindy), and Kathryn Givens Burns (Howard (decd.)). As a grandmother, she was lovingly known as GG, by her 12 adoring grandchildren and 14 (and a half!) great-grandchildren.
Mimi grew up in South Orange, NJ. In her teen years, she was escorted to VPI to attend a dance in support of a family friend. At that dance, a dashing young freshman cadet named Buck kept cutting in. The rest is history and Mimi and Buck married in 1944. Once Buck returned from the war, they settled in Allentown, PA for a few years, and then a business opportunity moved them to Salem in the early 1950s. Mimi was a devoted mother, homemaker, and friend to many. She was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and would do anything for them. For many years during the 1960s and 1970s, Mimi worked as a secretary at the (then) Baptist Children’s Home in Salem. Mimi was also a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem for over 60 years, chairing and serving on Altar Guild, active in various church guilds, and as a “shepherd” in visitations to local nursing homes. For many years, she also volunteered as a docent at the Salem Historical Museum. Up until her mid 90’s, Mimi was an avid artist, concentrating on portraits and landscapes. Her media ranged from oils to pastels, acrylics, and watercolor. She was well known in the local art scene.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful group of loving caretakers who helped Mimi during the last part of her life.
A Memorial Celebration for Mimi will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main St., Salem on Saturday, June 4 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted at St. Paul’s Episcopal or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
Mimi grew up in South Orange, NJ. In her teen years, she was escorted to VPI to attend a dance in support of a family friend. At that dance, a dashing young freshman cadet named Buck kept cutting in. The rest is history and Mimi and Buck married in 1944. Once Buck returned from the war, they settled in Allentown, PA for a few years, and then a business opportunity moved them to Salem in the early 1950s. Mimi was a devoted mother, homemaker, and friend to many. She was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and would do anything for them. For many years during the 1960s and 1970s, Mimi worked as a secretary at the (then) Baptist Children’s Home in Salem. Mimi was also a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem for over 60 years, chairing and serving on Altar Guild, active in various church guilds, and as a “shepherd” in visitations to local nursing homes. For many years, she also volunteered as a docent at the Salem Historical Museum. Up until her mid 90’s, Mimi was an avid artist, concentrating on portraits and landscapes. Her media ranged from oils to pastels, acrylics, and watercolor. She was well known in the local art scene.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful group of loving caretakers who helped Mimi during the last part of her life.
A Memorial Celebration for Mimi will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 42 E. Main St., Salem on Saturday, June 4 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted at St. Paul’s Episcopal or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.