Obituary of Virginia Elaine Mooney

Virginia Elaine Mooney, a resident of Burlington who spent well over 50 years giving back to the community as an elected official, Town Meeting member, and municipal volunteer, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday morning, October 11, 2018.  She was 88 years old.  Virginia was born in Cambridge.  She was one of three children born to Robert and Letty Probert.  She married her husband John on April 30^th 1950 and they settled in Burlington in 1959.  Virginia first got involved in the workings of town government when she helped out with the town census.  It was a great way to meet people in the community.  In 1972 she was elected as a Burlington Town Meeting Member and served for over 47 years.  She was a perennial candidate for the Board of Selectmen and even ran for Massachusetts State Representative in one election.  She served as a Burlington Selectman from 1988 to 1991.  Virginia was passionate about the well-being of Burlington.  She was a strong advocate for protecting the town’s water supply; and against commercial overdevelopment, and increased traffic.  She made her views known to all.  Virginia might not have won all her elections, but she definitely brought to the forefront the issues important to her, made other candidates take a position on them, and strongly advocated for town officials to make the best decisions for the community.  Virginia also served as an elected member of the Burlington Democratic Town Committee from 1984 to 2017 and was a delegate at the State Democratic Conventions.  Virginia was appointed to the Housing Partnership Committee, Burlington Finance Committee, B-Line Advisory Committee, Growth Impact Task Force Committee, and other committees and groups over the years. 

Virginia was also involved in many other Burlington organizations.  She has been a longtime supporter of the Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT).  She was an advocate, member of their Board of Directors, and hosted a long running show called “Our Town-Tell it Like it Is”. She was a member and Past Commander of the D.A.V. Auxiliary and V.F.W. Auxiliary.  Virginia represented those organizations at Veterans ceremonies, parades, and numerous other civic events.  She was honored by the residents of Burlington when she was picked to be the Grand Marshall of the July 4^th Parade.  Virginia loved Burlington and was a proud American. She was compelled to accomplish all her goals, commitments, and dreams right up until her passing.

Virginia was a woman devoted to her family.  She was wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and foster mother.   Her door was always open to any family member or friend that needed a place to stay.  She was supportive and caring and always spoke honestly.  Virginia traveled near and far to see her grand-children play in their games, tournaments, and activities.  She would be in the stands or sidelines and often had her video camera in her hands so she could share the excitement with the rest of her family.  Virginia was a strong role model for all her family and she has left her heart-print not only on her family, but the Town of Burlington. 

Virginia was the beloved wife of John T. Mooney.  She was the loving mother of Colleen Flaherty & her late husband William of Vernon, CT, Kevin Mooney of Brooklyn, NY and Julie Anne Crosson & her husband Kenneth of Billerica. Grandmother of Jona Huard, Kellie Mejia, Michael & Ryan Flaherty and John & Cody Mulkern.  Great grandmother of Jessica, Willie & Breana Knighton, Elijah & Gabrielle Pace, Jesse Mejia and Colton & Keyleigh Flaherty.  Great-Great Grandmother of Travis, Peyton and Kiara.  Special Aunt to Tracey Russell and Barbara Hoffman both of CA.  Sister of the late Bernard Probert and Peggy Ann McLeod. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 9 a.m.    Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m.  Burial to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home on Monday, Oct. 15 from 4-8 p.m. Memorials in Virginia’s name may be made to PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.