Veronica Mary Mulvihill

Veronica “Ronnie” Mary Mulvihill (nee Girasek) 80 of Palm Bay, FL was called home to her heavenly father on August 7th, 2024. She was born in Yonkers, NY on December 7th, 1943 to her loving parents, Alice(McDonnell) and John Joseph Girasek Sr. Growing up she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School from elementary through high school along with dozens of her devout Irish Catholic cousins. She later married her true love, Gerald Mulvihil at the Church of Our Savior in New York City. Gerald preceded her in death after 24 years of marriage. Growing up, Ronnie would spend weekends with her mechanic father tinkering and fixing cars. This pastime was one thing that attracted her to her husband. This shared interest led them to start their own business, a salvage yard, which later was known as Bill & Jerry’s Used Auto Parts.

Ronnie had a vibrant, no nonsense, tenacious spirit that touched the lives of all who knew her. During her children’s formative years, she was involved with the Boy Scouts and Girls Schools of America and their schools PTA. Her home was a haven to all neighborhood kids, especially during the Christmas Holiday season. All would gather and partake in the decorating of her one-of-a-kind edible Christmas tree. Because of her nurturing, motherly spirit she was known dearly to most as “Mom” or “Aunt Ron”.

In 1991 she moved to Palm Bay, FL to be closer to her family. Here she continued her zest for life. She joined Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and was a parishioner for over 20 years, more recently she began attending Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and became an official parishioner this past year. Her hobbies lead her to become part of The Red Hat Ladies and West Pine Estates HOA. After joining the HOA she eventually accepted positions as bookkeeper, vice-president and finishing out her tenure as president for over 10 years. During her 33 years as a Palm Bay resident, particularly from the 1990’s to 2018, she was known on a first name basis with council members, commissioners and multiple Mayors. Ronnie saw a need for the growing city and petitioned politicians to upgrade the infrastructure for the safety of the city's residents in case of a natural disaster. After working diligently for over two decades with the city, prominent Brevard County Land owners and Florida Today, Ronnie’s and the City ofPalm Bay’s vision came to fruition on January 13th, 2015 with the construction of St. Johns Heritage Parkway.

Ronnie’s life was surrounded by the love of 3 generations. Survivors include her children, John Thomas Mulvihill III, Veronica (Manuel) Fechas, both of Palm Bay, Geraldine (Robert) Biear of Melbourne Beach. Grandchildren: Edward (Ashley) Taylor (deceased), Alicia (Adan) Pereyda, Gerald Clarke, Jessica (Hunter) Cronin, Dominic (Courtney) Fechas, Stephanie (Jakub) Collier and Olivia Marie Fechas. Great grandchildren: Jerad and Trinity Taylor, Delilah and Cara Collier, Bristol and Brooks Cronin. Predeceased in death were her family John Joseph Sr. and Alice (McDonnell) Girasek (parents), Jacqueline Connolly (sister) John Joseph Girasek Jr. (brother) She was also a loving Aunt to 21 nieces and nephews and 29 great nieces and nephews. 

A calling hour will be held at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care. 1001 Hickory St., Melbourne, FL on Sunday, August 18th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 19th at 11:30 am at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. Her burial will take place on Friday, August 30th, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY.