Virginia "Jinny" Moser Horgan

Jinny Moser Horgan, an almost life-long resident of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, passed away on Christmas Day. Born on September 6, 1925, Jinny was the daughter of Mary Macke Moser, the first social worker for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Covington, and Ralph Edward Moser, a brave soldier in the US Army, who served in France during WWI. 

Jinny grew up on Idaho Avenue in Ft. Mitchell, the eldest of four daughters, attended Blessed Sacrament Church and School and g

raduated from  La Salette Academy in Covington.  She made lifelong friends like LaSalette chum Marian Franxman Pauly and next-door neighbor Joann Zeidler Hood.  And, she met Jack Horgan, the boy from Anthony Lane, along the way.  The two were married at Blessed Sacrament Church in 1947, and Jinny moved with her then-husband to follow his career to Richmond, Virginia, Clifton Forge, Virginia, and Ashland, Kentucky.   The handsome couple welcomed a new baby to their family in each of those towns. Finally,  after a 14-year absence, the family of five moved “home” to Jinny’s favorite place on earth: Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

Jinny’s friendly manner and outgoing personality served her well.  Whenever and wherever the opportunity arose, she volunteered to be a part of her children’s activities: fundraisers, school events, sporting activities, PTA, parent groups, as a tutor, room mother, or an extra pair of hands.  Holy Family School in Ashland,  Blessed Sacrament School, Beechwood School, Villa Madonna Academy, Thomas More College, Bluegrass Swim Club, Riverside/Good Counsel School: all were beneficiaries of Jinny’s time and talents.  But those were not the extent of her abilities.

Jinny had a flair for decorating and was always on the lookout for a castoff that could be cleaned up, refinished, or repurposed.  The result: a lovely home and the satisfaction of putting it all together for next to nothing!  An Irish aunt taught Jinny to hand-sew as a young girl, and that talent became a gift to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Curtains, wardrobe alterations, home furnishings, wedding accessories, Halloween costumes, holiday trimmings: no project was too difficult for this seamstress extraordinaire!  Jinny’s reputation brought one local dry cleaner to her door with a plea for emergency assistance: a visiting entertainer was in desperate need of the quick repair of an essential wardrobe item.  Thanks to Jinny’s abilities, MC Hammer, his iconic pants, and the show went on!

Jinny lived in homes along the Dixie Highway for decades and became a familiar figure to those who walked the nearby neighborhoods and sidewalks.  Family and friends always looked forward to the Ft. Mitchell 4^th of July parade and the primo viewing spot her home afforded.  Parade-goers arrived early, stayed late, and enjoyed the holiday’s festive atmosphere, the company of friendly people, a cold drink, and a hot dog.

A life-long Catholic, Jinny was a member of the Blessed Sacrament Church congregation for just about her entire life.  She never missed  Sunday mass until recent months, when age and its infirmities began to take a toll.  But, even at 95, it took the COVID-19 pandemic to bring Jinny’s life to an end.  Fortified with the Sacraments of the Catholic Church and comforted by the compassionate ministries of St. Elizabeth Hospice, Jinny passed away Christmas night at Rosedale Green in Latonia, Kentucky.

In addition to her mother and father, Jinny was preceded in death by great-granddaughter Holly Isabelle Wainscott, sisters Anne Moser Flannery and Martha Moser Leonard, and son-in-law Bill Ratliff.  She is survived by daughters Karen (Ed) Kuhlman of Ft. Mitchell, Linda Ratliff of Tampa, Florida, son John Horgan of Ft. Mitchell, grandchildren Ed (Tina) Kuhlman of Cincinnati, Julie (Dan) Wainscott, of Ft. Mitchell, Shannon (Josh) Corless of Washington, D.C., Chet (Angie) Ratliff of Charlotte, N.C., Caitlin (Nick) Morehead of Edgewood, Cassidy (Chris)Curley of Edgewood, great-grandchildren Jake and Emily Groom, Hank, Grace, and Leah Wainscott, Declan and Margot Corless, Imogen and Penelope Ratliff, and sister Claire Moser Mountel of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Due to the family’s concerns about the dangers of COVID-19, a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church will be private. In lieu of flowers, Jinny’s family suggests memorials to Catholic Charities, 3629 Church Street, Covington, KY 41015, or to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2409 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017