Virginia Ruth Roth

“Ginny” was one of four children, but the only daughter, of Vincent and Sophie Cicirella. She was born in 1931 and raised on Cleveland’s east side, in Little Italy, and then moved with her brothers Anthony, Ralph, and Vincent Jr. to South Euclid, where she graduated from Brush High School.

When Virginia, or “Vir” as her family often called her, wasn’t helping at the family business, South Euclid Ice and Beverage, she worked in the office of General Tire -- today a National Tire & Battery store on Noble Road in Cleveland Heights.

In 1958, Virginia met and married her husband of nearly 60 years, Herman Roth. Together they moved to Chesterland, where they raised their three children: Bill, Karen, and Brian. As a family they traveled with their pop-up camper for vacations all across the country: New York, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Dakota, Washington, and Canada.

For years, Virginia worked as a homemaker until her kids were grown. Then she worked part time at Dairy Queen and Mr. Hero, in Chesterland. When Herman retired, they became “snow birds”, adding a Florida residence and began to travel with her brother Ralph and his wife, Barbara. They flew to Hawaii, cruised the Caribbean several times, and even took a trip through the Panama Canal.

As their children married and gave them grandchildren, Herman and Virginia enjoyed helping at Karen’s flower shop in Findlay during busy holidays like Mother’s Day. Or they’d go to soccer games or softball games and watch the grandkids compete.

The Early Ford V8 Car Clubs in both Ohio and Florida gave Ginny and Herman opportunities to meet many new friends, all driving very old cars. If someone in the convoy, on their way to a car meet, broke down on the road, they’d all just pull over, get out their tools, fix it, and then be on their way! These were great friends!

Often it was in Chesterland that the local Ohio club would have their annual clambake, at the Roths’ house, with several bakers steaming up dozens of clams. And when they were with the Florida club, Herman and Ginny would travel up and down the Sunshine State. Different state, but the same great people!

Herman passed away in 2018. Virginia continued the wintertime Florida trips for several more years before she moved into Notre Dame Senior Living, in Chardon, and then Ohman Family Living at Holly Hill, in Newbury.

Virginia’s surviving family includes her great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Joanne Wires and Chase Michael Wires; her grandchildren, Caitlyn (Kevin) Wires, Tyler Roth and Emily Christman, Emma Roth, Justin Hathaway, and Megan Hathaway and Alex Alvarez; her children, Bill (Laurie) Roth, Karen (Russ) Hathaway, and Brian Roth and Sheri DeSapri; and her brother Vincent Cicirella.

Family and friends may call at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, on Saturday, August 2, from 1 to 3 p.m., with a Memorial Celebration at 3 p.m.

Our family greatly appreciates the loving care, kindness and attention that every caregiver and staff member showed to mom during her stay at Holly Hill and we want to say a heartfelt Thank You to each of them.

Donations to Hospice of Western Reserve may be made in lieu of flowers.