Virginia "Ginny" Austin Schwartz

Virginia “Ginny” Austin Schwartz, 77, of Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, surrounded by the family she so deeply loved, who deeply loved her.

Born in rural Maryville, Missouri, on January 24, 1948, to her farmer father, Evert, and mother, India, Ginny grew up alongside her siblings, Marcia and Lew, who spent their childhood “tormenting” her in the way only older siblings can—but with a lifetime of love at the core. She was raised in both Missouri and California, where, at church, she met the love of her life and forever boyfriend, Mike, at the tender age of 16.

 After a few years of dating and being separated to attend far apart colleges, they reconnected and married in California in 1969. From there they began a life of adventure together, living in Houston, Texas; Pasadena, California, Marietta, Ohio; and Nassau Bay, Texas before retiring to Mt Pleasant, SC to be near their daughters and their growing families.

Ginny’s professional life included various roles as an interior designer, but her favorite job was being wife to Mike, mom to her two daughters, Alli and Emily, loving mother-in-law to their husbands, and “Mimi” to her five grandchildren—her greatest joys on earth.

After retiring, Ginny and Mike spent as much time on the water as possible, completing the 6,000 mile, year-long Great Loop cruise in 2000, cruising the waters around the Charleston area, and exploring the Bahamas by boat in 2007. She loved every moment when she was on the water.

Several years later they found an RV that Ginny spotted on a lot in Florida. She had an eye for design as she made this house on wheels their home away from home, collecting more memories and friendships as they traveled to many destinations across the country. Altogether they logged 50,000 miles during 10 years of the RV life, a period when Ginny was especially healthy and very happy.

A born hostess with a servant’s heart, Ginny loved to bring people together. Whether it was a grand party or a casual gathering, she made sure everyone had what they needed and felt at home. She formed many dozens of friendships across the country and had a gift for staying in touch with them all. She welcomed her daughters’ friends as her own and never met a stranger—offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or words of encouragement to anyone whom she felt needed support. She had a profound, positive impact on so many lives simply by listening and genuinely caring, a rare gift for many but so natural for her. Her heart of gold, her warmth, and inclusivity touched every life she encountered.

She was her family’s biggest cheerleader, faithfully attending countless volleyball, basketball, soccer, football, track, and swim meets involving her grandchildren. If any of her “grandbabies” were playing or performing, their Mimi was always there. 

Ginny is survived by Mike, her beloved husband of 55 years; daughters Alli Bradley (Rod) and Emily Daniels (Coby); her grandchildren Ethan, EllaGrace and Avery Bradley, and Bennett and Myer Daniels; sister Marcia (Rod) Ruhoff and brother Lew Austin; sister-in-law Patti, and brother-in-law Ken Baker.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Evert and India.

A celebration of Ginny’s life will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2 to 4 pm at High Thyme Cuisine on Sullivan’s Island, SC where friends and family are invited to casually join in sharing memories, toasting and honoring our precious Ginny.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to SOS Lowcountry (Share Our Suzy) at www.soslowcountry.org , which provides financial support to patients and families who are battling breast cancer, so that they can focus on hope and healing.