Virginia Ann Nicholson

Beloved wife and mother, Virginia Ann Nicholson, 86, of Wake Forest, NC, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026. Born July 25, 1939, in Chesapeake City, MD, she was the daughter of George and Alverda (Gotshall) Fasbenner.

Known affectionately as “Ginnie,” she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

A true farm girl, she grew up working on her father’s dairy farm and even narrowly escaped a raging bull, though not the barbed wire, which left its permanent, but hidden, mark. Family life revolved around faith, family, and farm.

Ginnie enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, drawing, playing the piano, and singing. She was known for her beautiful voice, even selected for the Maryland State Chorus, and sang with her sisters in church many, many Sundays.

Ginnie lived a life rooted in family, kindness, and quiet strength. She married her husband, Wilbur Nicholson, Jr., at age 18, and they enjoyed more than 67 years of marriage together. Ginnie and Wil made their home in several states over the years (Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, and lastly, North Carolina), forming lasting friendships and memories wherever they lived. Their love grew to include four daughters - Rhonda, Jill, Valerie, and Tanya. As a mother, she was gentle, loving, patient, and selfless. Her family was always her greatest joy, and she gave generously of herself in raising and supporting them. Ginnie was later blessed to have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with another on the way, to whom she was affectionately known as "Granny." With her life an outpouring of endearing love, she imparted values that will remain with all of them for life.

Even while raising children, Ginnie worked in various capacities, including her job as a secretary in downtown Chicago, running a private daycare in their home, a human resources employee at a hospital, and achieved top-tier recognition in consumer-direct art sales, earning many trips abroad for her and Wil during their marriage. Ginnie also always enjoyed all the summer family time in Ocean City, NJ, and the great memories she and Wil made in their later years in Cape Coral, FL.

Ginnie will be remembered for her kind heart, warm smile, gracious spirit, and the countless ways she gave of herself to others. From the beginning of her life to her final breath, she offered a quiet strength that consistently left a lasting impression on those around her.

Ginnie's steady, compassionate presence was truly a rare treasure in the world. And her life and legacy will forever be cherished by her beloved family and friends.

She leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, Wilbur Nicholson, Jr., her daughters, Rhonda (Kevin) Stees, Jill (Tom) Geoghan, Valerie (Peter, dec.) Handleton, and Tanya (Rob) Zelem; her grandchildren Ryan (Mary) Stees, Brandon Stees, Anna Stees, Abigail (Trent) Bouffard, Tommy (Anna) Geoghan, Andrew (Josie) Geoghan, Ben (Lizzy) Geoghan, and Noah Zelem; and her great-grandchildren Leah, Joanna, Simone, Silas, Cameron, Connor, Ellie, Isaac, and another great-grandchild on the way.

A visitation will be held at 12:00 on Saturday, January 10 at Wake Forest Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith United Methodist Church in Orland Park, Illinois. (15101 S 80th Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462)