Virginia Plaia Contorno

Virginia Plaia Contorno died peacefully at her home on Thursday, November 16th, at the age of 97. She was a native of Birmingham, born on October 14, 1926, the youngest of five siblings. She married Paul Contorno in 1949 and was married 67 years before Paul’s death in 2016. A beloved sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, she became a matriarch not only to her own children but to her entire extended family.

Virginia was a member of the “Greatest Generation” showing her family and community the values of personal responsibility, humility, strong work ethic, commitment, integrity, and self-sacrifice. Strong in her Catholic faith, she raised her children to know God by the love and affection she constantly gave them.

Virginia and her husband Paul worked as a team running a small grocery store in North Birmingham, then operating a series of service stations in the Birmingham area. Although Paul was the “engine” of the day-to-day business, Virginia provided the “fuel” by managing the finances and details behind the scenes. The couple was known for their gracefulness on the dance floor. Virginia had a particular love for church socials and bingo, and always planned festive celebrations for her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents, Sam and Mary Rose Plaia; her siblings, Joe (Sarah) Plaia; Tony (Sara) Plaia; Josephine (Jake) Biviano; Frances (Pete) Campisi; her nieces, Rosemary Biviano, Jo Ann (Tony) Falletta and Antionette Campisi; her nephews, Sammy Plaia and Rocky Plaia.

Virginia is survived by her three children: her daughter, Benedictine Sister Madeline Contorno of Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama; her son, Michael Contorno of Houston, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Jenny Contorno of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; her two beloved grandsons, Paul and Samuel Contorno; her brother-in-law, Mike Contorno of Alabaster; and many cherished nieces and nephews. Virginia was greatly loved throughout her life by a host of devoted friends, and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

The family would like to express thanks to Virginia’s primary physicians, Dr. Frank Malensek and Dr. Michael Parks, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Enhabit Hospice, Helping Hands Services, and other special caregivers for their loving and faithful care.

Family Visitation and Wake Service will take place on Monday, November 20 from 6-8 pm at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 21, at 10:30 am at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, with Monsignor Paul Rohling presiding, and Father Ray Dunmyer offering the homily. Burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery at 2 pm, Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home directing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama, 916 Convent Road, Cullman AL 35055, or to a charitable organization of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Contorno family.