Virginia Lee Mladinich

On January 13, 2025, with her family by her side, Virginia Rowe Mladinich passed away peacefully, her exuberant spirit leaving an everlasting impression on all who knew her.

Virginia once described the original White Pillars Restaurant & Lounge as a place for creating “memorable occasions,” and she embraced that very spirit in every chapter of her life. Known for her warm humor, creative passions, entrepreneurial spirit, and devotion to her family, she believed that each day had the potential to become a celebration of art, friendship, and love.

Virginia was born in Billings, Montana, on May 12, 1932, to Lucille Reveland Rowe and Aubrey Lee Rowe. She attended Billings High School, graduating in 1950, and soon thereafter followed her passion for dance by studying ballet at the Vasclief Academy of Performing Arts in Portland, Oregon. Her love for the stage led her to dance with the San Francisco Ballet Company and tour extensively with a musical entertainment group. In the midst of these adventures, Virginia met Biloxi native John M. Mladinich. The two were married on June 25, 1953, in Arlington, Virginia, marking the start of a partnership that would shape numerous “memorable occasions” for both their family and community for the next 59 years.

In 1954, Virginia and John settled in his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi. Her dedication to the performing arts inspired her to teach private ballet lessons in the early 1960s. She also served as an instructor in Sacred Heart High School’s fine arts program. During this era, her effervescent presence was recognized when she was crowned Queen of Biloxi’s Young Matrons Carnival Ball in 1962.

Virginia’s enthusiasm for the arts spilled into every corner of her life. A devoted supporter of the Gulf Coast Arts Council, she also nurtured a deep affection for opera, eventually earning the Gulf Coast Opera Salon’s Opera Buff Award. Whether she was helping to plan a celebration or merely brightening a moment with a witty quip, Virginia brought her signature flair for festivity wherever she went. She was equally proud of her husband’s heritage and served as a past member of the Slavonian Ladies Auxiliary.

Together with John, Virginia co-owned several hospitality ventures that reflected her gift for transforming ordinary experiences into beloved traditions. Chief among these was the original White Pillars Restaurant & Lounge—so central to her life’s mission of celebrating every occasion. She took great delight in White Pillars’ 1989 Travel Holiday “Distinctive Dining Award” and The Wine Spectator’s high praise for its exceptional wine list, proudly crediting her daughter Deborah’s mastery in curating a remarkable cellar.

Virginia fostered lasting bonds with ambitious professional women. She relished time spent with the late Helen Shamis, Leigh MacConnell, and Barbara Salloum, sharing insights and championing one another’s growth. Her appointment to The Jefferson Bank’s Advisory Board by Chairman and CEO D’Auby Shiel reflected her well-earned respect in the business community. Despite the inevitable challenges of business ownership along the Gulf Coast, Virginia’s unshakeable optimism guided her through the devastation of Hurricanes Camille and Katrina. Even after the loss of homes and businesses, she remained resolute in her belief that community, family, and shared experiences were what truly mattered.

Virginia’s sense of fun, famously characterized by her fondness for “ratty” jokes and an ill-fated ice-skating adventure in her 70s, was an enduring hallmark. She especially enjoyed sharing her adventures with dear friends Lynn Baker, and the late Dr. Wilma Knox and Iris Richmond. She approached life with a twinkle in her eye and an open heart, greeting each new milestone—big or small—as an opportunity to create lasting memories.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Deborah, and son-in-law, Brooks Holstein, who carry forward her legacy of shared laughter and communal celebrations. Through them, her remarkable ability to elevate any gathering into a “memorable occasion” lives on.

In accordance with her wishes, a private service will take place at Southern Memorial Park on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi on Friday, January 24. The family will host a Celebration of Life at a later date. To continue her legacy of empowering women, in lieu flowers the family prefers memorial gifts to the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence, P.O. Box 333, Biloxi, MS 39533

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Biloxi is proud to serve the Mladinich family.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com