Born in Batavia in 1916, Virginia majored in art and music at the University of Michigan. There she met John Mumford, whom she later married.

Her talent as a pianist and organist was well-known. She was also an expert rug weaver. Creativity was her passion, and she encouraged others to be the same.

She studied oil painting with Nina Mason Booth, and earned awards for some her paintings at national exhibitions. In 2000, the Batavia Society of Artists renamed their scholarship in her honor.