Virginia C. Shingleton, of Valparaiso, Indiana, formerly of Hamden, Connecticut; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Muncie, Indiana, died in her home following a long and courageous battle against cancer on Thursday, December 27th. She leaves her husband of 40 years, William Shingleton; two sons and their wives, William (Sharon) of Cairo, Egypt, and Nicholas (Kari) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She also leaves one grandchild, Andrew Shingleton; two brothers, John and Gene Colonese of Guilford, Connecticut; two sisters, Delores Colonese of Bluffton, South Carolina and Anna Puglia of Guilford, Connecticut; and nine nephews and three nieces. Virginia was born in New Haven, Connecticut October 28, 1950 and grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, attending Hamden public schools. She graduated with degrees in economics from the University of Connecticut B.A. (1972) M.A. (1974) at a time there were few women in her field. So few in fact, that she was asked whether or not her degree was in "home economics" in a job interview. She taught part-time at Campbell College (now Campbell University), Marquette University, Lynchburg College, IUPUI and Valparaiso University. While working part-time, raising two fine sons, and serving as a cub-scout leader, she earned two more degrees in economics, this time from Notre Dame, MA, (1990) and Ph.D. (1994). For the last 21 years she has been a full-time member of the faculty at Valparaiso University, where she has served as departmental chair since 1998. While at Valparaiso University she has served as an enthusiastic supporter of the rights and responsibilities of the individual, both in the community at large and at the University. Virginia Shingleton touched the lives of her beloved family, dear friends, esteemed colleagues, admiring students, and kind and thoughtful neighbors. To many of them, the words most often used are "she was an inspiration". She was never hesitant to serve or afraid to speak up, to right an injustice, or to lend a hand. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was as talented a homemaker as she was an educator. Virginia Shingleton had a wonderful zest for life, and her warm smile and infectious laughter filled every room she entered with joy. She welcomed all, and she embraced everyone she met with kindness, respect, sincerity, and compassion. If she had met you more than once then she knew your children's names and ages. Virginia will be very dearly missed by all those who loved her, and she will be fondly remembered for the happiness she brought to all. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. January 9, 2013 at the Torello Funeral Home, 1022 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, after which she will be buried with her parents, John and Trilloe Colonese, in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, and both because she was always so concerned about people who had less than she, and because she so loved children, donations may be made to the local organization, Hilltop House (Hilltop Neighborhood House, 460 S. College Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383), or to a national organization, Toys for Tots Marine (Toys for Tots Foundation, The Cooper Center, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, Virginia 22172-1776; Email: mtftf@toysfortots.org).