Virginia D Barbieri

I was born on the 6th day of the 6th month and I was the 6th child. 666 did not deter me from having a full life. My parents, Elizabeth and Vito Doria welcomed me as the third daughter with three brothers. As this was the depression, Papa lost his job, store and apartment buildings. Poverty never stopped us. My sister, Rose, raised me because Mama worked with Papa in the grocery store. My ethnic community was rich in Church, family and old-world cooking traditions. I went to Catholic schools, and received a Catholic college degree. My brothers and sisters were my teachers... reading, writing, and games. Our home was full of joy and laughter.

In 1939 my Papa went to Akron, Ohio to find his foster sister, Beatrice Barbieri. Papa brought her to Chicago with her son, Jim. It was destiny! I had a crush on him for the rest of my life. We were married in 1954. With Master degrees from the University of Akron, we spent 66 years traveling the USA, Western Europe, the Americas, all the Caribbean Islands and then Australia and New Zealand. We saw world capitals, fantastic churches, museums and the hometown of our parents in Italy.

Jim and I did not have children so we took part in the lives of our nieces and nephews. I taught high school history for 30 years and Jim rose in the ranks of Goodyear. Dementia took his vibrant personality the last three years of his life.

As I face my own mortality, I am grateful for the many things. Papa taught me to love what was beautiful in this world: art, music, history, literature. Mama taught me the value of money (how to live within a budget). She gave me a sense of direction. But she taught me by example the value of people... their goodness and kindness. What more could you ask for.

I leave the Doria nieces and nephews and their families, the Barbieri nieces and nephews and their families with love and affection. My friends, especially Linda, and fellow residents at Concordia at Sumner... you gave meaning to the last 12 years. To all my former students you made 30 years worthwhile.

I was born into a great family; educated by brilliant nuns; married to a good, faithful companion; lived an eventful life full of travel; in-law family became friends; faced great health problems with courage; shared what I had with family and friends; and found a successful career. God is part of my life and afterlife. What more could you ask for?

I passed away December 20, 2024 at Concordia in the peace of my own bed. I was laid next to my beloved husband, James in a crypt at Rose Hill Burial Park.