Virginia Ann Ferris

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Virginia Ann Ferris concluded her physical journey on Monday May 20, 2024, finally reunited with her loved ones in heaven.

Virginia was born on Sept. 13, 1928, the third child of Budway and Jennie (Joseph) Gabriel in New Castle, Pa. She graduated from New Castle High School. Shortly after graduation she met and married the love of her life, Ferris P. Ferris. Together they raised a family of seven children. They moved from New Castle, Pa. to Boston, Mass. and finally settled in Waterville for many years.

While living in Waterville, Virginia worked as a district manager for Avon Products. She drove throughout the entire state meeting people and making lifelong friends along the way. Her signature look turned heads whether dressed for a meeting or when dancing at the Hafli to raise money for St. Joseph’s Maronite Church.

When their children left Maine, Virginia insisted on moving the family to Las Vegas, Nev. to be nearer to their grandchildren. The family continued to grow to include 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren with another one set to soon join the family!

Grace, elegance, determination beauty, and strength are just a few adjectives that describe this remarkable woman. She exemplified these qualities throughout her life. She saw obstacles as challenges to overcome. and expected the same from those around her.

Virginia impacted the lives of countless many with her kindness, encouragement, positivity, and especially her cooking. Her table was a gathering place for people of every tribe, and she dispensed advice as generously as she did food, lending always her strong values as guidance and inspiration for those whom she cared.

Virginia lived for God and her family. She is survived by her children, Richard Ferris, Karen Eisner, Freddy Ferris, Sheila Ferris-Beaton, Joseph (Christy) Ferris, Lori and Doug DeCreny, Peter and Alina Ferris; grandchildren, Michael (Tania) Eisner, Jamie Z, Jennifer (nee Beaton) and Jonathan Handler, Robert Ferris, Beau and Robyn Boudreau, Harrison and Katie DeCreny, Budway (Kelsey) Ferris, Douglas DeCreny, FayRae (Xander) Ferris, Mary Ferris, Ferris Ferris and Gabriel Ferris; great-grandchildren, Jemma and Carter DeCreny, Jameson Handler and Beau Boudreau. Virginia’s two surviving sisters, Helen Gentile and Lorraine Shaheen will miss her deeply.

As a lifelong member of the Catholic Church she prayed for each and every one of us. Her family holds no doubt she will continue to watch over each of us as our guardian angel.

In death she joins her beloved, her one true love, her husband, Ferris Peter Ferris. This year marks 77 years of their union in matrimony. Now enveloped in her arms are those who predeceased her, parents Budway and Jennie Gabriel; siblings Cecila Maritch, John Gabriel, and Eugene Gabriel; and great-grandchildren Bennett and Lennon DeCreny.

Virginia was a blazing star of a person. The might of her love is such that even death cannot extinguish its flame. While she will be profoundly missed in this world, the joy and love she inspired will carry on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 31 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 1 at St. Joseph Maronite Church, 3 Appleton St., Waterville. Burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville. Services will also be held in Las Vegas, Nev., prior to her services in Waterville. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Virginia Ferris to

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA)

914 Market St.

La Crosse, WI 54601

Comments are no longer available on this story