Strong women leave a definite impression on all of us.
Their strength is not derived from making others feel weak or inferior. Quite the opposite is true.
Strong women bolster everyone around them by constantly giving of themselves, leading by example and exhibiting a rare grace under pressure.
Their inner muscle is forged by love, sculpted by compassion and exercised through selfless deeds.
Sadly, the community of Oxford lost one of its strong women last week with the sudden passing of Virginia ‘Gini? Britton on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. She was 56.
‘We’re all in a state of shock and just can’t believe it happened,? said Darlene Toliver, president of the Oxford Women’s Club. ‘She’s going to be missed a lot. Not only by us, but by anybody she’s ever worked with in the community.?
Britton’s cherished belief in community involvement and tireless commitment to serving others was reflected through her memberships in the Rotary Club of Oxford and Oxford Women’s Club.
‘A gregarious woman willing to tackle a worthwhile project without question? is how fellow Rotarian Bill Devine will remember Britton.
An Oxford resident since April 1999, Britton joined the Rotary Club in November 2000 and had served as president since July 1.
When Britton was asked to take over as Oxford’s top Rotarian, Devine said, ‘She started to weep. She was so pleased to be considered for that job.?
Toliver described Britton as ‘outgoing, bubbly, pleasant to be around and very organized,? qualities which made her an asset to the Women’s Club.
‘She was really good about working with people and getting them to do things,? Toliver said. ‘She was an excellent fund-raiser.?
‘She would make you feel welcome no matter who you were or where you were at,? said fellow Rotarian Marilyn Duiguid, who noted Britton’s death is ‘going to leave a big hole? in Oxford.
None of this is surprising considering Britton’s professional life was centered around working with others as an active member of the Republican Party.
‘She just loved it,? said Dick Britton, her husband of 31 years. ‘She believed in getting involved and trying to make a difference.?
Britton started out serving as a trustee on the Northville Township Board from 1992-96. While serving, she met U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia). McCotter was serving on the Wayne County Commission at the time.
The two formed a friendship and Britton ended up working on his campaigns for state Senate and eventually the U.S. Congress.
Since April 2007, Britton has worked as the community relations representative in Oakland County for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton). She has been a supporter and friend of the congressman for a long time.
‘She had a gift for helping people and a caring heart that never quit,? said Rogers in a statement issued by his office Thursday. ‘I am deeply saddened by her passing and was honored to call her friend.?
‘She loved working for Congressman Rogers,? said her husband. ‘She was in her glory.?
Britton particularly enjoyed hosting office hours for Rogers in the Oakland County communities he represents.
‘She just loved talking to people and getting to know what was going on in each little community, what the problems were and where she could help,? according to her husband.
Beyond her job and community, Britton’s true passion, her reason for getting out of bed every morning, was her family.
Britton particularly enjoyed hosting regular family dinners. ‘She liked nothing better than to feed everybody every Sunday,? according to her husband.
‘She was very much in love with her family and especially her brand new grandchild,? Devine said.
Born about a month ago, Britton considered her granddaughter, Kathleen, to be a gift from God. ‘That granddaughter was her pride and joy,? Toliver said.
‘That grandbaby was everything in the world to her,? Duiguid said.
It was this little bundle of joy that helped Britton get through her mother’s funeral Oct. 3, which, ironically, was the day before her own passing. ‘That granddaughter was her anchor at her mother’s funeral,? Duiguid said. ‘She sat in the front row with that baby huddled up to her breast and over her shoulder through the whole service. And that baby never whimpered.?
At the funeral, Britton pointed to her granddaughter and told Toliver, ‘The Lord takes one away and gives me another.?
At her core, Britton was a fighter. She fought hard for the people and causes she held dear. In recent years, Britton faced the toughest challenge of her life ? breast cancer. Diagnosed in May 2005, she didn’t yield an inch to the disease and her determination was an inspiration to all who knew her.
‘A stronger-willed person, I’ve not met one yet,? said Duiguid, who noted that while undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Britton ‘hardly ever missed a Rotary meeting.?
Long before she lost a single hair during chemotherapy, the always-prepared Britton had a wig standing by. ‘That’s the kind of person she was,? Duiguid said.
Britton fought her cancer and won. Finished with chemotherapy well over a year ago, ‘she was back on her feet and back to work,? according to Duiguid.
That’s why her unexpected death last week was such a shock to everyone.
‘To think her life could be snapped away that quick without warning,? said Devine. ‘It’s a wake-up call for all of us. You never want to go to bed without saying you love your wife or your kids.?
Britton is survived by her husband Dick; beloved children Michelle (Chris) Pickard and Bridget Britton, both of Oxford; and cherished granddaughter Kathleen. She’s also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Farrell.
Britton is preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Elizabeth ‘Betty? Farrell, and her brother Russell Farrell, Jr.
A celebration of Britton’s life was held Monday, Oct. 8 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Orion. Arrangements were made by Huntoon Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made in Britton’s memory to the Oxford Twp. Parks & Recreation Splash Park.