Virginia McDaniel Slonina was reunited with her husband of 70 years on September 18, 2018. She was a beautiful 96 years old. They met by chance at Buckroe Beach just before he left for U.S. Air Force service in World War II. Their letters lead to a ring and, upon his return, a marriage.
She held a variety of jobs from switchboard operator at Camp Patrick Henry (now Newport News) during the war to her favorite, working at the Poquoson Elementary School library. She never forgot and continued to keep up with many of the young students, now grandparents. Virginia, Mama, made many of our clothes and anything else she could run through a sewing machine. By summer’s end, her cupboards were filled with everything that could be canned in mason jars. Mama was devoted to her children as they grew, then her husband as his health declined, then her many friends from church and water aerobics at Sentara.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Lula McDaniel; brothers, William, George, and Woodrow McDaniel; sister, Marguerite Mazzei; and precious granddaughter, Lillian Trippe. She leaves in love her daughters, Barbara Trippe-Crute (Bill) and Mary Page; grandchildren, Aaron (Kristin) and Devin Trippe, Jeffery J., Wendy, and Christopher Steckroth, and Kayla Page; and great-grandchildren, Marleigh Shannon, Viola Trippe, and Madison Moon.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, September 24, 2018 at Bethel Manor Chapel, 1794 1st Avenue, Hampton, Virginia. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and aides at Riverside Regional Medical Center for their skilled and loving care during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Poquoson Fire & Rescue Squad, 1035 Poquoson Avenue, Poquoson, Virginia 23662 or to the charity of your choosing.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.
Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, Virginia 23666.
