Virginia Frances Prete Straface, 88, of Morgantown, peacefully passed away after a short illness on Thursday, December 6, 2018, surrounded by her family, at Mapleshire Nursing Center.
Virginia was born on November 29, 1930, in Star City, a daughter of the late Salvatore and Serafina Belcastro Prete.
A woman of strong faith, Virginia and her husband, John, were long time parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church, in Star City, and were the first couple to be married in the parish in 1953. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Virginia retired from the Davis & Lynch glass factory, where she was a talented hand decorator of beautiful lamps and vases. Later, she was co-owner and co-manager of Jambie’s Restaurant, in Suncrest. In addition, Virginia was a loving and selfless caregiver to her father, sister, Giovanna, and husband.
She was active in numerous bridge clubs for over 50 years. Over the past 20 years she utilized her artistic ability to design and craft stained glass, which she generously gifted to family and friends.
Virginia especially looked forward to preparing weekly Sunday dinners at her home for the family, as well as hosting innumerable holiday and extended family dinners, most especially a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes every Christmas Eve.
She is survived by two loving sons and spouses, David and wife Cynthia Straface and J.T. and wife Lou Ann Straface. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Jenna Straface Oates and husband Michael, Sarah Straface and her wife Meghan, Anthony Straface, Daniel Straface and companion Shannon Morton, and Nicholas Straface and companion Bobbi McClelland; as well as great-grandchildren, who referred to her as “Maw Maw Pasta”, Gianna and Sofia Oates, and Lilla and Luca Straface. Also surviving is her brother, James Prete and wife Doris, of Morgantown; sister-in-law, Marianne Straface; and numerous nieces and nephews, who affectionately referred to her as Aunt “Gigi”.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Straface; three sisters, Mary Prete Hintz, Matilda Prete Ferrise, and Giovanna Prete Prudnick; and two brothers, Philip John Prete and Louis Prete.
Virginia’s family would like to thank Dr. Gabriella Horvath and all her doctors, nurses, and staff from Mon Health Medical Center and Mapleshire Nursing Center for their excellent care and compassion during her illness.
Family and friends will be received at Dering-Henson Funeral Home from 2 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, and at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, from 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, until the 11 a.m. service hour with Fr. John V. DiBacco as celebrant. Entombment will follow in the St. Mary’s Peace Garden.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations can be made in her memory to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, 3334B University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505 or St. Ursula’s Food Pantry, PO Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26540.
Caring services are provided by Dering-Henson Funeral Home.
Condolences: dering-henson.com.
