Virginia “Sissy” Brophy-Hennessey, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 16, 2015, with her family at her side.
She is survived by her sister-in-law Carol Ward; brother and sister-in-law, James and Margaret Brophy; seven nieces and nephews; and 16 great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harry T. Ward Jr., and husbands Rex Brophy and Matt Hennessey.
Brophy-Hennessey was born Virginia Katherine Ward on Sept. 2, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Penn., to Harry T. Ward Sr. and Virginia K. Smith. When she was young, the family moved to Detroit where she graduated from Cooley High School. She went on to Michigan State University, graduated with a degree in Social Work and later taught Home Economics at Columbus Elementary School in Detroit.
She married Rex L. Brophy in 1948 and they shared 52 years of loving marriage before his death in February of 2000. She and Rex resided in Grosse Pointe Shores for many years, and later in Grosse Pointe Farms. In the 1970s they discovered the allure of John’s Island. For years they spent part of every winter there enjoying golf and the company of many wonderful friends.
The couple moved to John’s Island permanently in the late 1990s. After Rex died, Brophy-Hennessey met the second love of her life, Matthew Joseph Hennessey. She and Matt shared a love of world travel and a wonderful marriage for 10 years before Matt’s death in 2011.
Brophy-Hennessey enjoyed skiing, golf, travel and especially people. She nurtured many life-long friendships. Known for her warmth, caring attention to friends, sharp wit and easy sense of humor, she was loved for the manner in which she lit up a room. She was a member of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, the Detroit Golf Club, the Otsego Ski Club, the John’s Island Golf Club and the Bent Pine Golf Club.
She was a devoted wife, sister, aunt and great aunt to her extended family.
The family will receive friends at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Ln., Vero Beach, FL 32963, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. A private funeral mass with the family will be celebrated later. Donations in her memory may be sent to Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A guestbook is available online at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.