Vi B. Cleary

CLEARY, Vi Baffone, widow of Ben Carlos Cleary Sr., passed away on June 11, 2017, in Chapin, S.C. Vi was born in Wilmington, Del. on November 20, 1925. She was the daughter of the late Aleseo and Josephine Baffone. In addition to her husband and parents, Vi was was predeceased by her brothers, Nicholas, Dominic, Albert, Herman and Ben Baffone; and her sisters, Jenny Bradley, Eva Angelini, Elvira Yost, Marge Gregg and Ann Murphy.

Vi graduated from St. Elizabeth's Catholic High School in 1945, where she was a member of the Glee Club and Student Council. She was a beauty consultant for many years with Faberge and Polly Bergen Beauty Products. Vi was completely devoted to the love of her life, Ben, and settled in Richmond, Virginia. They were longtime members of the Hermitage Country Club in Richmond and devoted parishioners at Saint Bridget Catholic Church in Richmond. Vi was particularly close to her niece, Pat Bezanson, and in 2015, she relocated to South Carolina to be near Pat and her family. She became a parishioner at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, attending the dedication of the new sanctuary and numerous church events.

Vi is survived by her stepson, Ben Carlos Cleary Jr. and his wife, Catherine, and their son, Alexander, of Mechanicsville; her niece, Christine Jacques Gergley and her husband, John, of Newport News, Va.; her niece, Pat Bezanson of Irmo, S.C.; great-nephew, Jeff Bezanson and his wife, Nancy, of Surfside Beach, S.C., and daughters, Sydney and Zoey; great-niece, Shelly Kelly and her husband, Tim and their children, Ashley Carrigg, Jack Carrigg and Sophie Kelly, of Chapin, S.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews from Delaware to Alaska and all points in between.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2017, at Woody Funeral Home, Parham Chapel, 1771 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Rd. Richmond, Va. 23226. Interment will follow in Westhampton Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, S.C. 29036. Online condolences may be sent to woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.