Virginia Carroll Burke died on May 13, 2014 at the age of 94. She was born in Scottdale, PA, the daughter of Bess Benford Carroll and Charles B. Carroll. During WWII she served as a sergeant at Bolling Field, Washington D.C. and in the China-Burma-India Theater, earning the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, WAC Service Medal, WWII Victory medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct medal.
She was a 25-year employee of Leeds & Northrup Co. in North Wales, PA as an executive secretary, and following her retirement was with Montgomery Newspapers for four years before a second retirement , then moving to Lititz, PA.
Virginia volunteered for 25 years as an American Red Cross first aid instructor, and donated over ten gallons of blood in its donor program. She was the first active female member of the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad of Willow Grove. As a state-certified EMT and paramedic, she served with that group, the Horsham Fire Company, and Cheltenham EMS, and served on the Board of the Manheim Township Ambulance Association. She was also a member of the Neffsville Community Fire Company.
She was a life member of American Legion Post 248 of Glenside, VFW Post 1463 of Lititz, and was a co-founder of the Bux-Mont Women Veterans Association. She was inducted into the Legion of Honor of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia for community service, and the mayor of Wilkes-Barre presented her with the key to the city for her rescue efforts during the 1972 flood. She was a Brownie Leader and Senior Girl Scout Leader, and was Den Mother for the Boy Scouts.
Virginia is survived by three children: Susan Shigo of Florida, David (Mardell) Mullaly of Maryland, and Lisa Mullaly of Lititz, as well as grandchildren Jennifer, Todd, Airica and David, and great-grandchildren Anthony, Megan, Jared, Gianna, Tori, Angelina and Lily.
She will be laid to rest at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on June 13th at 3 PM, and a celebration of her life will be held at the Oregon Community United Methodist Church on June 14 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers a contribution may be made in her name to ORCA Animal Rescue of Lancaster.
An extraordinary woman, she really lived while she was alive.