Virginia E. "Ginny" Hassler

Virginia “Ginny” Hassler passed away peacefully at her home on July 16, 2025, at the age of 95. She was born in December of 1929 in Albany, New York, to a mother and father who came to the U.S. as immigrant teens from Czechoslovakia and Poland. She grew up in a close and loving home with two sisters, Betty and Loretta, and one brother, Leo “Sonny,” all of whom she survived. She graduated from Albany High School in 1947. It was in Albany that she began her lifelong love of baseball, fanatically following the Albany Senators, a farm team, to the majors. Albany was also where she began her love of politics and music, especially jazz. As Albany was a short train trip to New York City, she often talked about her many good times there, going to Broadway shows and seeing many jazz greats in their prime. She was a life-long Democrat and voted in every election, stayed on top of news and always did the daily crossword puzzles. Virginia had several careers and worked well into her sixties, starting as a young woman with the phone company right after high school, and then working for the New York State library system in Albany. In 1956, she bought a convertible and struck out for South Florida, ecstatic to be leaving the snow and ice of upstate New York behind. Her first job in Florida was with the City of Fort Lauderdale, working for many years as an administrative secretary at the highest levels of local government. Her later work included administrative support in the private sector and her last job was with Melbourne Village. When she moved to Tallahassee, she applied her skills and volunteered for years as Secretary for the Hunter’s Crossing Homeowner’s Association, where she made many new friends. Virginia was a devoted sports fan and lover of life and popular culture. Whether it was watching her beloved Miami Dolphins or FSU Seminoles play (where she often ran a “pool” for total points) or traveling across the U.S and throughout Florida to be with family and friends, she enjoyed life to the fullest. Always very social, she loved eating out as well as having people over for meals and celebrations. She had fun going to concerts, parties and social events, shopping, exploring art shows, and for many years, spending time on the beautiful beaches of South Florida and beyond. She found peace and solace in her Catholic faith and throughout her life. Virginia was devoted to her family and is survived by her daughter Robin Hassler Thompson (Dan), son Robert Hassler (Michele), grandson Austin, and daughters by marriage Judy Free and Jackie Yurchuck (Tim), their children and grandchildren, and by her many and beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son by marriage, William, and by her husband, Alvin. Her generous spirit, and especially her contentment in her later years, will inspire us always. Though we will miss her deeply, her love is with us forever. The family will receive friends from 5:30PM until 7:30PM on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road in Tallahassee. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) and Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Messages of condolence can be made to [https://www.bevisfh.com/obituaries/virginia-hassler/#!/TributeWall ]. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193) is assisting the Hassler family with their arrangements.

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Virginia E. "Ginny" Hassler

December 8, 1929 - July 16, 2025