Virginia Ann Stefan

She was born on January 11, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan, to Edward and Edyth (Galbraith) Ball.

Virginia’s family moved a lot when she was a child. It had an impact on her because she was often the “new girl” at school and had to continually make new friends. Among her favorite childhood memories were the times she spent at her grandparents’ cottage in northern Michigan. She recalled that there was no indoor plumbing and they had an ice box to keep food cold.

After graduating from Cooley High School in Detroit, Virginia spent a semester at Ferris State University and then started work as a typist at Ford Motor Company. In 1954, she married Tiberius (Ty) Stefan Jr. and together they built a loving family before he passed away in 1982.

In the late 1960s, Ty bought her a piano. She would often play, and at Christmas time, the whole family joined in: Dad and Nancy on violin, Alan on trumpet and Carol on flute.

Virginia loved to play cards. She was a formidable pinochle player and belonged to two or three neighborhood pinochle clubs. Cards were also a big part of family life, starting with simple games like Go Fish! around the coffee table. Eventually pinochle became a big part of holidays and other family gatherings.

She was involved in the Girl Scouts and would go along with daughters Nancy and Carol on campouts. Virginia was always in the crowd cheering for son Alan when he played baseball or hockey. The family bought a pop-up camper and traveled to the East Coast, the Smoky Mountains, and Washington D.C. The most fun was camping in northern Michigan at Timber Shores Resort.

Virginia loved to have fun. She had a unique laugh that made it impossible not to laugh along with her. She had a wide circle of friends with whom she shared many good times. She and Ty took Arthur Murray dance classes with friends from the neighborhood and were excellent dancers.

You could always find chocolate and baked goods in the house. Her chocolate chip cookies were the best. She was happiest when eating ice cream.

Virginia loved spoiling her grandkids and would let them do things that she would never have let her own kids do – like jumping rope in the living room! She made sure she spent quality time with each of them.

Alzheimer's with dementia unfortunately became part of her later years. Her family appreciates the many wonderful caregivers who helped her face this difficult time with dignity.

Virginia is survived by her loving children Alan (Louise) Stefan, Carol Stefan (Kurt Kiley) and Nancy (Kevin) Sarpolis; grandchildren Austin Stefan, Paige (Ashton) Hundley, Andrew (Katie Fellman) Sarpolis; niece Lynn Stefan; and great grandson Michael Fellman Sarpolis. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tiberius Stefan Jr., her parents, brother, nephew and in-laws.

Funeral Visitation will be held at Harry J Will Funeral Homes, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152, on September 17, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Virginia's memory.