Paul Neel Critchfield
As one of several family relatives, my portrait of Virginia captures an enchanting fifty-three years with her as my aunt, friend, teacher, and exquisite example of a philanthropic-spirited human being with such remarkable individual distinction.

Virginia's letters to me in times of many family tragedies and many family joys always carried with them her message of hope, courage, fortitude, loyalty and above all, love.

When we would gather together in her home for special times, parties, or family meetings, these were times of laughter, historical review of our forefather's achievements, and just plain old-fashioned fun complete with singing harmony together around the piano.

Decisive action, solving problems together or having a blessed holiday or birthday occasion, in her was the "Rock of Gibraltar," a constancy that we all looked up to. Virginia was a primary "Key" to our understanding that all things can be accomplished through prayer, decisive work, perseverance, and teamwork.

I was fortunate in many ways, among them, my opportunity to know Paul Galvin and to work for Ken Piper at Motorola. I remember their strength of character and how they would always provide "uplifting" and comfort for Virginia and for the rest of our family.

It's important to share with others that we, as Virginia's appointed lifetime trustees, and current and future term trustees, are really the third generation of stewards to watch over what Paul V. Galvin began and Virginia continued to do so admirably and well from 1959 to 1999, a remarkable forty years.

We remember with great respect the founding-spirited work, innovation, and technological achievements of our parent corporation funder, Motorola, Inc. The Galvin family members and employees who have guided the growth and development of the company for seventy-five years are an inspiration to all of us and still to this day are providing loyalty to Virginia. What a blessing, indeed.

As our author, Melissa Pritchard, has pointed out so beautifully in her dedication page in the front of our biography, we do continue to feel the strength of Virginia, her grandmother, Cora Higley, and Virginia's husbands, Paul V. Galvin and Kenneth M. Piper.

The lifetime trustee experience of governance, responsibility, and loyalty truly is an "Appointed Gift" in itself, one that carries with it an enormous opportunity to help others, to grow healthy families, and to innovate stronger communities. In our offices and in our meetings, we feel Virginia's presence with each day and with each decision.

Virginia indeed would be pleased to meet our staff and to see in action our truly creative and well-balanced trust, the leadership skills each and every trustee brings to our projects. It's our hope to continue Virginia's philanthropic journey into many life-enhancing years ahead.

Mary Mayfield
For over twenty years, my husband Bob and I were good neighbors with Virginia. Bob was her "handyman." She would call him if something went wrong at the house. We lived across the street and really didn't know, at first, who she was, other than our neighbor. If she needed something, we were there. She kept her place meticulous. A gardener was there every day or every other day, keeping her flowers up to date with the seasons. During our first introduction to Mrs. Piper, our English sheepdog went charging through her house, over all that beautiful white carpeting,and she just laughed.

My kids used to love to play in Mrs. Piper's arroyo. It had a little bridge they loved. Our daughter, Catherine, would go over to pick Mrs. Piper's flowers and then set up a flower stand, and Mrs. Piper would come along and buy some of her own flowers.

We used to have neighborhood parties, and Virginia always came. She was very soft-spoken, gracious, a great listener, and would never, ever, ever mention the money she gave. She was simply our neighbor, a very fun lady.

Robert Erdman
The relationship with one's hairdresser is very special. I used to see Virginia sometimes twice a week, to give her perms, just the right haircut. She was interested in people, all kinds of people. It didn't matter whether they had money.

One time, on her way to my salon in Scottsdale, Virginia had a minor accident on Tatum and McDonald. She got to the salon and said, "I'm not going to get that car fixed; I'm just going to get another one." I said, "So why don't you get a Rolls-Royce?" She looked at me and said, "Oh now, what would I do with that? I wouldn't want that."

Virginia used to tell her sister, Carol, that going to the hairdresser's was her favorite thing to do. At the salon she could relax, get more beautiful, have M&Ms, and just be herself,not the Virginia Piper icon. When she was getting very ill, we knew she was coming to the end, but we didn't know how long she had. Still, she always had to have perfect hair and perfect make-up. So I would always come to the house, toward the end, to do her hair.