Virginia Irwin Holowenko of Fort Myers, Florida previously of West Lafayette, Indiana died on October 18, 2014 in Fort Myers, Florida. She was born in Irwin, PA on January 12, 1916, daughter of Mary Margaret Verner and Howard Franklin Irwin, the third of five children. Virginia spent most of her early life in Irwin, PA and at the age of 6 received a size violin that started her career as a violinist. She advanced quickly and was accepted to take the Saturday morning violin classes at Carnegie Institute of Technology. She continued her high school work and graduated from Norwin High School in Irwin, PA in 1934. After high school graduation, she continued her education at Carnegie now Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public School Music and Violin. She was a member of String and Symphony Orchestra. Virginia started her teaching career in Mars, PA and supervised the music program in the elementary schools and the Vocal and Instrumental in the high school. After two years in Mars, PA, she accepted a position to be the music supervisor for seven schools in North Huntington Township near her hometown of Irwin, PA. On June 16, 1944, she married Alfred Holowenko at the First Presbyterian Church in Irwin, PA. Because of the war Virginia and Alfred left Irwin and traveled to Houston, Texas where Alfred was called to teach the Navy boys. When the war ended, Alfred was accepted to the Mechanical Engineering Department at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. They enjoyed 65 happy years together with Alfed dying peacefully July 8, 2011. It was here in West Lafayette that Virginia had the opportunity to enjoy her talent for 50 years as a violinist not only as a charter member of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra but in many community activities. The Symphony was her second family. She enjoyed being chairman of the Keller Memorial Competition for ten years and hearing all of the talented young musicians and working with the other members of the committee. Virginia received many awards for her professional achievements and community involvements. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota honorary society, West Lafayette Musicale, and Lafayette Symphony Guild. She was also a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Virginia is survived by her children, son Richard Holowenko (wife Nancy) of Fort Myers, Florida, daughter Robbin Mix (husband Ron Mix) of Logansport, Indiana and three grandchildren David Mix of Chesterton, Indiana, Tara Mix of Elkhart, Indiana, and Christine Holowenko Tate (husband Rick Tate) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and one great granddaughter Tabitha Tate of Virginia Beach. Also two nieces survive Janice Neisner of Florida and Rose Marie Fitzpatrick of Florida and one sister-in-law survive Evelyn Gray of New Hampshire. Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers Frank and Richard, and two sisters Mary Cathrine Shively and Adele Neisner. Virginia loved getting together with her family, enjoyed doing many crafts, and blueberry picking. She will be missed by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will occur during a memorial service which will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at 11:00 am at Covenant Church, 211 Knox Dr., West Lafayette and open to the public. A private burial at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens will follow. Memorials may be made to Lafayette Symphony (Keller Fund), 111 N 6th St., Lafayette, IN 47901 or Covenant Church Music Program, 211 Knox Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47907.