Virginia Janysek

1941 - 2025

Virginia Janysek
11/02/1941 - 04/13/2025
Virginia Ann Janysek of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at her Janysek farm with loving family members at her side. Virginia was born on November 2, 1941, in Cestohowa, Texas, to Isidore and Barbara Sekula. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Edwin, her infant son Douglas and infant daughter Mary, her parents, Isidore and Barbara Sekula, and brothers Adrian, Raymond and Lucian Sekula and nephew, Aron Sekula.

She is survived by her daughters, Sonja and Amy (Gregory Sorensen), family friend Corinne Sorensen, sisters Sally Schaefer, Mary Eiserer, and Therese Bass, and brothers Gene, Larry and Isi Sekula. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends.

Virginia started school at the age of 5 in Cestohowa, then continued in Falls City where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She was an active member of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Cestohowa where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Sodality of Mary. She was an accomplished musician, playing the saxophone with the Falls City High School band. After graduation, she started her working career at USAA in San Antonio. She eventually moved to Houston with her family and began working in the Spring Branch Independent School District within the Human Resources Department from which she retired after 25+ years. Virginia loved to travel with her family and go on grand adventures up to the very end. They visited several countries in Europe including Poland. Her travels took her from the west coast to the east coast, and even to Alaska and Hawaii. She was proud of her Polish heritage, was very active in promoting the Polish traditions and cultures, and was a generous supporter of the Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria, Texas. She enjoyed watching the Astros Baseball team and enjoyed sparring with her relatives about the Astros versus the Texas Rangers. She enjoyed spending time in her country home in Runge, Texas. Her family was the most important factor in her life. She set a great example of the art of selfless giving. For instance, she helped children in her neighborhood by providing free math tutoring. She bent over backwards to make sure her family's needs were taken care of and made so many sacrifices to ensure their success and happiness, for which they are eternally grateful. She attended countless band concerts, high school football games, horse shows, air shows, accordion club meetings, camping trips, road trips to the Frio and Guadalupe rivers and the Texas Hill Country, etc. She always made sure her girls had rides and never-ending support when it came to their rehearsals, competitions, performances, and scouting events, to name a few. She helped her daughters complete their college degrees, supporting them in every way possible, from help with studying, sending loving care packages, etc. She would volunteer to assist in caring for all the family animals from dogs to horses. They all were cared for by her, and they all adored her. She loved to cook and made sure her family and friends got to share the food she prepared. Virginia would always make sure her friends and family were taken care of whenever it was needed. For instance, she never hesitated to help pick up family from the train station and run them to the family farm, or to volunteer herself or one of her siblings to help plan family get-togethers, or to make sure friends and family made it to their appointments. She took care of her daughters' friends just like they were her own children. She set such a great example of being a supportive, generous, kind-hearted human being. She always provided unconditional love and support. Her family, relatives, and friends are truly grateful to have been part of her life and will remember her sweet smile and the love and support for her family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25th, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. A Mass will be said at 6:30 PM and then a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Cestohowa, Texas. The Funeral Mass will be held the following day at 10:00 AM on April 26th also at the Church in Cestohowa. The burial will be at the Panna Maria Cemetery, Panna Maria, Texas, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Polish Heritage Center at Panna Maria, P. O. Box 25, Panna Maria, TX 78144; The Father Leopold Moczygemba Foundation, P.O. Box 903, La Vernia, TX 78121-0903; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis TN 38101, or a charity of your choice.