Virginia Lillian Macko was born March 31, 1920 in Port Vue Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John Macko, a millworker born in Czechoslovakia, and Julia Andrews, born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, according to Virginia's marriage record. Known siblings are Joseph F., Edward W., Julia H. (married John Fuzi), and Helen.

Virginia married Dr. Joseph K. Balogh on September 6, 1947 at Heinz Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh. Joseph, a professor of sociology, had been previously married in 1942, but was divorced less than two years later. Joseph's parents were Daniel and Julia (Nagy) Balogh, both born in Hungary.

Virginia died March 14, 2005, and Joseph died in April 1990. They are buried in the Mausoleum at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington.

Joseph was a professor of sociology & criminology at Bowling Green State University. At some point, a Virginia Balogh Nursing Scholarship was established at the school. It was awarded on the basis of academic achievement, scholarship needs, and future interest, and it was open to junior and senior students. The scholarship was revised in 1983. Joseph K. and Virginia L. Balogh established a scholarship that is awarded to rising juniors or seniors in the College of Health and Human Services, based on a minimum GPA of 3.2 and financial need.