Virginia Candey

Virginia (Gini) Athlene (Bradley) Candey, age 100, of Traverse City, Michigan passed on to the Lord peacefully surrounded by family on November 5, 2021 at Medilodge of Leelanau in Suttons Bay, MI. Gini was born to Cecil and Hester (Noggles) Bradley on August 2, 1921 in Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from Lansing Everett High School in 1939 and attended Michigan State University while working for Oldsmobile, Inc. where she met her husband, William (Bill) Candey Jr. They were married August 18, 1945 in Lansing, Michigan and had four sons while living there. In 1959, Bill was transferred to Traverse City, Michigan, where they relocated their family.

While in Lansing she was involved with the Cub Scouts, politics, bridge, The Lansing Ski Club, and The Lansing Bow and Arrow Club. Gini and Bill participated in many bow and arrow tournaments, including national tournaments in Wisconsin, Michigan and New Hampshire. Gini was very involved with the Republican Party, where she volunteered full time for the Republican State Central Committee. After moving to Traverse City, Gini worked as a bookkeeper for Kroupas, Inc. In addition to working full-time, Gini was elected to five 2-year terms for the Republican State Central Committee. She was also chairman for 2 years for Mother March of Dimes, Beta Sigma Phi. Gini and Bill spent many evenings on wooden benches where they enjoyed watching their sons participate in various sports. Gini retired after 28 years from Kroupas, Inc. in 1987, and continued working part-time for the Ogdensburg Co-Op until they closed. During retirement, Gini enjoyed meeting with her “Lunch Bunch'' gals each Wednesday of every week as well as visiting family and friends.

Gini was an avid reader and loved the challenge of crossword puzzles. She was a huge fan of sports, especially local teams including the Detroit professional teams (particularly the Tigers) and Michigan State University sports. One of her favorite sports to watch was the PGA tour and she had many favorite players that she followed. Gini loved traveling and especially enjoyed her trips to New York City where she saw many Broadway shows. She fondly remembered the trips she and Bill took to England to visit family and also to Spain.

Gini Candey is survived by three sons, William (Debra) Candey III, Scott Candey, and Mark (Shelli) Candey; one sister Donna Jeane Haight; 11 grandchildren Jim Candey, Kim Owens (Jim), Carrie Meininger (Jim), Lydia Candey, Monica (Guthrie) Crockett, Sarah (Brendan) Clous, Logan Candey, Lindsey Benak (Jim), Griffin Candey (Susan), Nicolas Candey and Taylor Candey; 14 great grandchildren Nicole Candey, Brandan Candey, Morgan Candey, Chloe McLearn, Alyshia Meininger, Addson Meininger, Emmett Yagle, Killian Yagle, Emilee Clous, Thomas Clous, Maverick Candey, LJ Benak and Reese Benak; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William, her son Craig (Cindy) Candey; brothers DeWayne Bradley and Bill Bradley and sisters Joann Bradley and Almina (Bradley) Shaver.

The family would like to thank Oak Terrace and her friends there for making it her home the last five years. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider First Christian Church and the Traverse City Public Library.

Cremation has taken place and a private family memorial will take place at a later date.

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