Obituary of Virginia R. Braun

Virginia Roberts Braun December 30, 1934 - March 23, 2025 Known for her beauty, energy, and zest for life — and love of family and friends — Virginia Roberts Braun, recently of Hamilton, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was 90 years old. Virginia was born in Philadelphia in 1934 to Louise League McCoy and J. Rodman McCoy of Wynnewood, PA. She attended Agnes Irwin School from kindergarten through 12th grade. After graduating in 1952, she sailed to Europe on the record-setting maiden voyage of the S.S. United States, which still holds the fastest time for a transatlantic voyage. (In her final days, her family enjoyed reading with her from the detailed diary she kept during her trip at the age of 17.) She attended Briarcliff College, in Briarcliff Manor, NY, before marrying James D. Henderson 3rd, also of Wynnewood, in 1953. During her husband's service in the U.S. Army, the couple lived in Massachusetts, Georgia and Falls Church, VA. They eventually moved back to the Philadelphia Main Line, settling in Strafford, PA. In 1968 they moved to Medford Lakes, NJ. Widowed suddenly in 1976, she became the matriarch of the family at the relatively young age of 41. She eventually married Dr. Gustave Braun of Chambersburg, PA, in 1981 and was widowed again in 2000. For 40 years she made Chambersburg her home. She had countless friends there and was active in women's organizations, especially the local chapter of the national P.E.O. sorority (Philanthropic Educational Organization). But the place she loved most was Stone Harbor, NJ, where she was a summer resident for 60 years. Virginia was known and cherished for her many attributes, including: Her intelligence, her keen intuition, her optimism and sense of humor. Her genius for making fast friends with anyone she met, often with complete strangers, no matter their age or background and making them feel appreciated. Her ability to find enjoyment in whatever she happened to be doing and to ensure that others enjoyed the moment too. Whenever she said "goodbye" she usually added, "Have fun!" Her ever-present curiosity about what was going on around her. She usually greeted people not by saying "hello" but rather, "What's new?" Her nickname in the retirement center where she lived was "Channel 7" because she was always a font of information. Her elegant and fun fashion style, which she maintained even when bedridden in her final days. (For many years her vanity license plate read "FAN-C MS".) Her extremely acute sense of hearing which she put to good use by always carefully listening to and remembering in great detail what anyone had to say. Her talent as an artist, leaving behind many watercolors and acrylic paintings now treasured by family and friends. Her spot-on sense of direction and superb driving skills. She was always "on the run," often making weekly trips to visit friends and family in other cities. Another nickname: "Madame Macadam." Her faith in God enabled her a to weather life's setbacks with courage and resolve. She is survived by her children: James D. Henderson IV and his wife Claire of Edgewater, MD, and Virginia H. Hunter and her husband Howard Hunter of Yardley, PA. In addition, she had four grandchildren: Joshua Hunter and his wife Melissa, Jesse Hunter and his wife Nicole, Andrew Hunter and his wife Meghan, and Hayley Henderson. She also had seven great-grandchildren ages 19 to 10, all of whom she knew well and loved like they were her children. They include Colin, Jane, Adam, Emma, Olivia, Henry and Claire Hunter. As her great-granddaughter Jane wrote in a letter to her several weeks before she passed away: "You have a magical power where you light up a room you walk into not just because of your smile but because of your heart. No matter the person, you make them feel loved and appreciated." Funeral services were held privately for the family. Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.