Virginia Sherry

Virginia Sherry, 92, of Ward Hill, a retired secretary and a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Monday in Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, where she had been a patient for six weeks.

Born Virginia Cholefka in Manhattan, she was brought to Arrochar as a toddler. After both her parents died, she relocated to Scranton, Pa., to live with family, and graduated from Scranton High School there.

Mrs. Sherry also lived in Woodside, Queens, and Los Angeles before returning to the Island, moving to Dongan Hills. She settled in Ward Hill 63 years ago.

She worked as a secretary in the bursar's and registrar's offices of the former Richmond College and the Sunnyside and Willowbrook campuses of the College of Staten Island. She retired in 1998.

Mrs. Sherry was a member of the Mothers Guild at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Tompkinsville, when her children were students there.

An excellent cook and baker, she made delicious cookies. She also was skilled at sewing and knitting.

Her mother was an extraordinary woman with a remarkable spirit, and an excellent mother who loved taking care of her children, said her daughter, Tara Sherry.

Mrs. Sherry's husband of 60 years, Peter, died in 2004. She also was preceded in death by her son, Peter, in 1977, and her daughter, Donna Lynn Sherry, in 2015.

Surviving, along with her daughter, Tara, are her son, Joseph; her daughter, Susette Lippa; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Sherry was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Arrangements include cremation.