Virginia Lou Best

Virginia (Ginny) was born in Benzonia, Michigan on March 21, 1931 to R.D Griffin and Lois Case Griffin. She spent her childhood playing with her brother, Jim, and their many cousins. Upon graduating from Benzie High School, where she was voted “most talkative”, she attended Michigan State University. In her second year, she met the love of her life. After just four short months of courting, Virginia and Dave were married at the First Congregational Church in Benzonia. And so began a love story where they danced together through life for the next 70 years.

Virginia put her education on hold so that she could help support Dave while he finished his degree at Michigan State. Soon their family began to grow. First David was born, followed shortly after by Linda. When Dave’s job took him to Wisconsin, Ginny packed up their two small children to embark on a new adventure. In Wisconsin, they added Lois and Mark to their family. In addition to raising four small children, she kept an immaculate house and became an excellent cook, a source of pride for her. She shared her gourmet meals and baked goods with everyone. She made her house a welcoming place. To Ginny, family was everything.

Ginny’s giving spirit and her “light up the room” smile made it easy for them to develop friendships that became lifelong. Over the years, the family moved throughout the Midwest. Ginny gracefully said goodbye to old friends and hello to new friends, always taking her dazzling smile. All who met her loved her sweetness, grace, and charm, along with that special smile.

When Dave retired, they began a new adventure, building a villa in The Villages in Florida. They lived in the village of Chula Vista, just a short walk from the Spanish Springs Square. They spent their days at the pools, on the golf courses, playing bridge, dancing, and making new friends. Every night, they would walk to the Square, where they could be seen dancing to their Big Band music.

Throughout their years of working and raising children, The Cottage on Platte Lake was their constant. It was there that the family always gathered and held celebrations. As time passed, her children realized that home was more than just a place to Ginny. Home was where her heart was. Her heart was deeply entwined with her beloved Dave. When they were together, they were home. They were one unit, and that unit was love.

Virginia embraced life, embraced her family, adored her husband, and spent her life giving and showing how much she could love.

Virginia’s family is left to carry on her giving, loving nature. They include her devoted husband of 70 years, Dave, son David J. Best (Robyn)of Homosassa, Florida, daughter Linda (Dave) Munn of Dubuque, Iowa, daughter Lois Best Mercier (Mike) of Rochester, Michigan, son Mark Best (Kathy) of Clarkston, Michigan, and David J.’s first wife Michelle. She will also be deeply missed by her eight adoring grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren, all of whom put that smile on her face.

Dave’s butterfly has flown away, but her heart is with us eternally.

To celebrate the joy her life brought to her friends and family, a Celebration of Life service will be held at the Benzie Area Historical Museum, 6941 Traverse Avenue, Benzonia, MI on September 30, 2023 at 2:00 pm.

To honor Virginia’s memory, share a giving nature and a smile. Donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, American Lung Association, Benzie Senior Resources, Hospice, or any charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/bloomfield for the Best family.