The San Antonio community was rocked by the news that a longtime resident of the city with ties to the 25-year-old River Walk restaurant Biga on the Banks had died this past month. But this November, locals can join her loved ones in honoring her legacy at a memorial on Sunday, November 9.

An obituary posted online for Virginia Margaret “Perny” Shea notes that the local culinary icon, who was “known for her laughter, her kindness, and the effortless way she made everyone feel welcome and special,” died on October 24, 2025. New details recently added to the obituary state that a memorial service for Shea will be held on Sunday, November 9, at 4 p.m. The service will be held at Biga on the Banks, 203 S. St Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78205, in the River Terrace Room on the third floor. Instead of flowers, her family is asking the community to contribute to two causes that were close to her heart: Musical Bridges Around the World and St. Philip’s College Culinary Arts program.

In the days that have followed since Shea’s death, many have taken a moment to share heartfelt responses to the news, along with heartwarming memories they made with Shea over the years. Former TV reporter for News 4 San Antonio, Tanji Patton, shared a lengthy post on Facebook celebrating Shea on Sunday, November 3.

“We lost not only a wonderful friend but one of the most effervescent, upbeat, beautiful women you could ever imagine,” Patton wrote. “Mike and I have known Perny for at least 30 years, and many of you have known her and that delightful, infectious laugh of hers for even longer. … As life goes along, we lose touch with so many. This is a reminder to keep friendships alive–they are so precious!  Whenever over the years I talked to Perny, she always made me smile.  Just thinking about Perny would make you smile.”

Karen Haram, former Taste section editor for the San Antonio Express-News, echoed Patton’s sentiments, telling MySA, “Perny was a vital part of San Antonio’s restaurant community for decades and was beloved by all who knew her. It was exciting to watch as she and Chef Bruce Auden turned Biga on the Banks into a restaurant with a national following and reputation. Perny was warm, kind, funny, spirited and incredibly talented.  She made a profound impact on our community and will be greatly missed.”

The restaurant where she staked her claim over the years, Biga on the Banks, also penned an emotional social media post honoring Shea’s legacy: “Perny was so much more than a colleague at Biga on the Banks for over two decades. She loved Biga and put her heart and soul into every experience. She truly was the ‘life of the party’ in every sense. Her infectious smile, grace, and tireless dedication will never be forgotten,” the post reads. “Thank you, Perny, for the laughter and for setting a standard of excellence. You will be greatly missed by our entire restaurant family.”

According to the online obituary, Shea is survived by her mother, Veronica Brewer; her husband of nearly 30 years, Dr. William Shea; and their two daughters, Sarah and Katie. The obituary does not share a cause of death.

This article originally published at San Antonio mourns the loss of a culinary icon with November memorial.