Virginia Goldsborough Schuster

Virginia Goldsborough Schuster, 95, died on November 29, surrounded by her children in her beloved home in Reisterstown.

Virginia was a Force. She lived with joy, vigor, and determination.

Born on September 13, 1928 to Anne and Edward Goldsborough, Ginny was raised as a member of the Fitzpatrick clan, a large, extended Irish Catholic family in Baltimore. Although she grew up in the shadow of the Great Depression, she remembered her childhood as a time of marvelous freedom and contentment. She and her dear cousin, Jane Farber, ice skated for hours in winter in Mount Washington. And, in summer, they trudged up the long hill home after a day of racing each other at the Meadowbrook Swim Club.

Ginny attended St. Mary's grade school in Govans and later worked part-time as telephone operator to finance her education at the Institute of Notre Dame Preparatory School. She attended Notre Dame College for two years before her marriage to John Schuster, who came from a large Catholic family in Pikesville. Children quickly followed, and like many other couples who had weathered World War II, John and Ginny started their own personal Baby Boom. It was in motherhood that Ginny discovered her true vocation. To her each child was a gift from God that she could not wait to open. Each one different; each one a little miracle.

John and Ginny eventually moved their growing family to Reisterstown where John established a growing real estate business. They were active parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish in Glyndon. But when they divorced shortly after the birth of their ninth child, they sent shock waves through their small community.

Ginny soon faced a daunting new challenge. How could she both support and parent nine children as a single mother? While others advised that she downsize and move her family to a more manageable, more affordable house, Ginny was determined that her children would remain in their family home on Main Street. And she worked relentlessly to ensure that stability. She eventually earned her own real estate license, shuttling her kids to sports, theater, and debate practices in between appointments. Although there were lean days, Ginny celebrated her settlements with family dinners at the Rustler steakhouse in Owings Mills. For entertainment she sometimes took her children to the observation deck at Friendship Airport (now BWI). It was free, and a lot more interesting than the movie theater.

As time passed, and the children grew, financial pressures eased. Then Ginny felt drawn into politics.  She campaigned locally to protect property rights and followed up with two runs for the Maryland House of Delegates. Although she did not prevail, she waged strong campaigns, powered mostly by her nine built-in volunteers and by her neighbors-- the Johns family, who generously pitched in to help.

Upon retiring from real estate, Ginny turned her attention to her home, her beloved gardens, and her growing brood of grandchildren. Having already returned to her Faith, she became a daily Mass "regular" and volunteered as a docent at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. She traveled to Europe and the Holy Land and was fascinated by history, especially Church history.

Ginny basked in the accomplishments of both her children and her grandchildren, marveling at the diversity of interests and talent. She joyfully attended innumerable Baptisms, First Communions, Bat Mitzvahs, Confirmations, graduations, and weddings. She continued to host large family Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations at her home until her early 80's, always roasting a perfect 23-pound turkey.

Ginny often said, "My children were my best investment." And by the time her great grandchildren began to arrive, it was clear to everyone that her investment had produced remarkable dividends.

Ginny bore the pain and indignity of old age with grace, courage, and, finally, humility. When macular degeneration made driving too dangerous, Ginny chose to walk to her daily swim sessions at Brick Bodies, making friends along the way. After a series of strokes began to disable her in 2014, she accepted the help she needed to stay in her home. As the years progressed, and she needed more and more assistance, she expressed constant gratitude to her caregivers. When asked how she was feeling, she inevitably responded that she was "Never better."

And in truth, so long as Virginia Schuster was able to be with those she loved, she was, indeed, Never Better.

Ginny was predeceased by her grandson Tyson LeBlanc, her sister Anne McIver and her cousin Jane Farber. She is survived by her children, Mary Pat Schuster Leblanc, John Joseph Schuster, Jr, Daniel Goldsborough Schuster, Margaret Allen Schuster Carter, Julie Schuster Klingenstein, Christopher Fitzpatrick Schuster, Eric Edmund Schuster, Virginia Goldsborough Schuster Smist, and Charlotte Lee Schuster Moreno. She is also survived by 54 grandchildren and 69 great grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, December 3, from 6-8 pm, at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD, and on Monday, December 4, from 9:30-11 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 63 Sacred Heart Lane, Glyndon, MD 21071, where a Funeral Mass will begin at 11 am.

Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, Reisterstown, MD.