Virginia Mary Bernoskie Ryczak

Virginia Mary Bernoskie Ryczak, age 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at “The Virginian” senior living facility in Fairfax, Virginia, where she had been in residence for 6 years. She was born in West Point, Virginia, to Robert and Annie Naggy Bernoskie. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Stanley J. Ryczak, and her brother, Edward R. Bernoskie. She is survived by three devoted daughters, Maryann R. Casterline (Bill) of Chantilly, VA, Maureen R. Radford (Mike) of Wilson, NC, and Martha R. Whiteley (Eric) of Bowie, MD, and by two devoted sons, Robert S. Ryczak (Sonia) of Bel Air, MD. and Paul S. Ryczak of Fairfax, VA. “Nanny” had ten loving grandchildren: John (Megan), Kathryn (fiancé Robert) and David (Sarah) Casterline, Christopher (Casey) and Brian (Samantha) Radford, Michael, Sarah and Matthew Whiteley and Rachel Whiteley Rosenberger (Adam), and Julia Ryczak, and four great-grandchildren: Jack & Claire Casterline, and Kennedy & Madison Radford. She completed her elementary education at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School in Port Richmond. Taught by the Sisters of Mercy, Virginia carried her love and respect for nuns from that order into her adult life. Virginia graduated from West Point High School in 1943, and started her first job at Thrift Insurance on Main Street. Blonde, blue-eyed “Ginny” bewitched Stanley when he came from Pennsylvania one summer to visit his Aunt Julia Tokarz and to work in the local pickle factory. They were married on July 13, 1946. She enjoyed a good round of golf in her early years, swimming and riding a bicycle well into her 60s. During World War II, she joined other teenage girls from West Point in chartered bus rides to a Navy base on the York River to socialize and dance with the young men in uniform. Virginia was a very active and devoted member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She held a special life-long devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and rarely did she miss morning Mass or praying the rosary. She served for many years as church organist, member of the choir and Our Lady’s Sodality, and as a sacristan and Chair Lady for 7 years of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus. Virginia was a dedicated volunteer at Riverside Convalescent Center in West Point, earning the 20 Year Pin. She was an avid flower gardener, a fabulous baker (her pound cake was well known and often requested), a skilled seamstress and talented quilter, having made a quilt for each of her five children and ten grandchildren. Her bright smile lit up the room and her sweet nature made everyone feel welcome. She and Stanley thoroughly enjoyed their 17 vacation cruises to ports in Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, and she travelled with Stanley on a few of his business trips to Europe for the Chesapeake Corporation. She was the heart of the Ryczak family home as she washed, fed, nurtured, protected, encouraged, suffered with and rejoiced with her five children as they grew into adults. The greatest joy in her life was her 10 grandchildren, whom she adored. She loved spending Christmas, birthdays, weekends and the family’s summer beach week in the Outer Banks with all of them together. And then more love and joy arrived with her four great-grandkids! She truly and deeply loved her family, her church community and her hometown of West Point. She was a family treasure and will be greatly missed. Due to the current coronavirus restrictions, there will be only a graveside service for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to either West Point Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box X, West Point, Virginia 23181 or to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1503 Michaels Road, Henrico, VA 23229.

Virginia Mary Bernoskie Ryczak

September 30, 1926 - April 30, 2020