Virginia “Jenny” Sweeney, 80, went to her reward Tuesday, August 22, 2006.  A lifelong resident of Galveston Island and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hitchcock, Jenny lost her courageous battle for life after six weeks at Allen Parish Hospital in Kinder, Louisiana.

Jenny was born May 2, 1926, in Ragley, LA.  She moved to Texas in her late teens, married Jackie Sweeney, and started her family.  Jenny’s family was the most important thing to her.  She was a caring and supportive wife, always taking care of Jack and even helping run the family business, Sweeney’s Texaco.  In addition to caring for her family, Jenny also worked a full-time job as a unit clerk at UTMB from 1966 until her retirement in May, 1991.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed.  “Nana” was always there when her family needed her, encouraging them to be strong and reach for their goals.  Jenny taught this lesson by example, getting her high school GED at the age of 51.

Jenny had a great love of cooking, which she shared with all she knew and loved.  Cooking Sunday dinner for her extended family gave her pleasure.  Her crab gumbo and spaghetti will never be forgotten, and birthdays won’t be the same without her special lemon cake.

Jenny was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John J. “Jackie” Sweeney; parents, Minnie Blackwell McLeod and Thomas M. McLeod; sisters, Jessie O’Neal Everett, Ada Barnett, Azzalee Gilley, Georgia Luxardo, and Hazel “Bobbie” Bush; brother, Clyde McLeod; and a set of twin children.

She is survived by daughter, Wanda Knotts and husband, James; son, John J. “JoJo” Sweeney, Jr.; brother, James Thomas McLeod; grandchildren: Tammy Hunt, Joyce Vanderhoef, Melissa Claunch, James D. Knotts, Chrissy Sweeney, Misty Sweeney, and Sean Sweeney; great grandchildren: Terry, Erica, Ryan, and Jenny Vanderhoef; Ashlyn Guidry; and Lauren Claunch; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family will receive visitors after 5:00 pm, Thursday, August 24^th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.  A rosary will be held at 6:30 pm.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Friday, August 25^th, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hitchcock, with Father John Kappe as Celebrant.  Burial will follow the service at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Sean Sweeney and James D. Knotts; great grandsons Terry and Ryan Vanderhoef; brothers-in-law, Jack Oliver and Bob Bauer; and nephews, Eddie Grady and Donnie Gilley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas McLeod, Marion “BoBo” Sweeney, Richard Soler, Norman Bradley, Eric Vanderhoef, and John David Gilley.