Virginia Persons Havasy

Virginia P. Havasy, 91, of Stafford County passed away peacefully Thursday, April 21, 2011 at the home of her son James and his wife Mary Havasy in Mineral, VA. She was born March 9, 1920 in Quantico, VA, the third child of R. Forest Persons and Sophia Clark Persons.

She was devoted to her husband Stephen Edward Havasy (1911-1971), her seven children and their families, as well as her extended family.

She served her community in many ways throughout her years. She was the Valedictorian of Occoquan High School in 1936 at age 16; a former runner-up for Mrs. Fredericksburg in 1957; active in Home Demonstration Clubs; a Registrar and poll worker in Stafford County in the 1960’s and 1970’s; a former member of the Governor’s Highway Safety Commission; involved with the PTAs at Montfort Academy and Stafford High School; active with the Fredericksburg area Senior Citizens and Council on Aging ; was a charter member of the Dogwood Lane Canasta Club; worked at Fort Belvoir; was a life long member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church; and authored two books of family memoirs: The House of the Seven Children and Virginia’s Story.

Virginia, her husband Steve, and four young sons moved to Stafford County January 1, 1949. She continued to live at the same home until October 2009 when she moved to the Assisted Living community at Chancellor’s Village in Fredericksburg. In April of this year Virginia moved to the home of her son James and daughter-in-law Mary.

Committed to education, she encouraged her children to attend college, all of whom did with six of them graduating and two of them earning graduate degrees.

Virginia is survived by son Stephen E. Havasy, Jr. and his wife Linda of Powder Springs, GA; Richard Havasy and his wife Judith of Louisa, VA; Gerard Havasy and his wife Geraldine of Scotia, NY; James Havasy and his wife Mary of Mineral, VA; Charles Havasy and his wife Susan of Stafford, VA; Fred Havasy and his wife Mary of Raleigh, NC; and Sophia Havasy of Houston, TX.

Her family includes the following grandchildren: Richard A. Havasy, Jr. and his wife Suzanne; Simone H. McGuinness and her husband John; Monique H. Clapper and her husband Daniel; Tiffany H. Orcesi and her husband Mauro; Col. Charles K. Havasy and his wife Meredyth; Stephen M. Havasy and his wife Caryl; Joseph Havasy; Richard O. Havasy; Robert Havasy; Teresa H. Alley and her husband Robert; Erika H. Young and her husband David; Nathan Havasy and his wife Amy; Luke J. Havasy; and Julianna Havasy. In addition, Christine Havasy predeceased Virginia in 1974. Several great-grandchildren include: Michael Havasy, David Havasy, Connor Alley and Luke G. Havasy, Thomas McGuinness, Patrick McGuinness, Mary McGuinness, Winston Clapper, Duncan Clapper, Roman Clapper, Giovanni Orcesi, and Armondo Orcesi. Two nieces include Linda Warren of Bakersfield, CA and Lori P. Terwillger and her husband Jeff and son James of Linden, VA. A nephew Forest Warren predeceased Virginia in 2010.

Visitation with the family is planned for Thursday, April 28 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Mullins and Thompson’s Funeral Home 1621 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 Friday, April 29 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 1009 Stafford Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Virginia P. Havasy Memorial Scholarship Fund which will provide college scholarships to graduating seniors at Stafford High School. Please send all contributions to the Virginia P. Havasy Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Richard A. Havasy (2198 Hamilton Rd., Louisa, Virginia, 23093).