VIRGINIA BODNAR

Thinking of Penny with love on the anniversary of her sister´s passing.

Think of you often and miss you and your elegance everyday. I remember all the times at your house even back from when I was a teenager you were always so kind and loving. Now you are in God's hands miss you.

Mrs. Bodnar was my 1st grade teacher at Bayside Elementary in Virginia Beach. She was the kindest, most beautiful woman I had ever seen. My little kid brain was convinced she was Miss America, because she shared the name of our state. Being in her class is still to this day one of my best childhood memories. Rest in peach Mrs. Bodnar.

Thinking of her sister, Penny,on this anniversary of her sister´s passing. May it be a day of loving reflection and memories for her.

Cindy Longer gave the following eulogy at Ginny's funeral:

Modern psychology encourages us to sharpen our memories with a nemonic device. That is, repeat the name of the person you are just introduced to two or three times. Immediately, associate that name with a letter, a place, a facial feature. Something, anything to secure the information in our memory. Yet for most of us, that is an elusive task.

For my cousin, Ginny, remembering someone's name was mere child's play. Ginny was blessed with the most remarkable, impeccable memory. She not only recalled your name; she remembered what schools you attended; your preferred food and beverage; what new accomplishment or challenge your husband/wife/sister/brother/niece/nephew/son/daughter/friend/ boss/ or neighbor were facing, and their favorite things. “From raindrops on roses to whiskers on kittens...”

Ginny remembered because she genuinely found everyone interesting, everyone worthy of respect and attention, everyone worthy of love. I believe Ginny really lived the call to “love thy neighbor.”

Her generosity was a generosity of spirit. Ginny was always on the “look-out” for the perfect little gift for her friends and family. We all–assembled here today–have been grateful recipients of those “Ginny gifts”–those sweet mementos marking time and achievements in our lives. But more than that, Ginny's gift to us all was time spent with her, sharing at her table set for many, her caring, her love.

Virginia Madeline. The first-borne of a loving, close family, Ginny was always broad of her Croatian heritage, her Pittsburgh roots, her Grandmother, Mother, Father, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends growing up, and especially proud of her little sister, Penny.

Theirs was a very special sister bond. Sibling revelry, I would call it. They cared, shared and loved each other so much–they reveled in each others happiness. An exceptional bond.

What brought Ginny to this beach? Yes, the sun and the surf. But originally, it was her John, the Vietnam War, and its Fort Story. And the rest, as they say, is his-tory (or, we should say, her-story). Ginny found a first grade post at Bayside, but more importantly, she found Kay, Evelyn, Glenda, dear, wonderful friends, and Lawanna and Nancy T. And dear Nancy S. and so many, many more. Ginny was only too excited to have them all meet her life-long buddy, Bev. Ginny wove all her friends together–as a family–with laughter and love.

For Ginny, a life shared was a life enjoyed, a life celebrated. Ginny welcomed each season, each holiday with joy. Joyous decorative abandon. She had one of the largest Christmas sweater collections on the Eastern seaboard. Fourth of July was nothing if not completely festooned in red, white and blue, stars and stripes, sparklers and fireworks on the beach.

Although Ginny and John were not blessed with children of their own, Ginny embraced a much larger concept of family... She was a mother figure to 33 first grade classes. For literally generations of Virginia Beach sons and daughters, the Adventures of Arthur the Aardvark (read with expression) have significance.

Ginny was a daughter care giver to not only her own father and mother, but also to the late Annie Bodnar, Betty Begay, and many retired and infirm teacher colleagues. Her kind and consistent visits were greatly anticipated.

At the beach, Ginny was elevated to status of royalty where (and her friends sally and Nancy would agree)...Ginny drew an ever-expanding circle of friends and family, so large, from an aerial view it probably would resemble a crop circle, to relax and share and enjoy a day in the salty surf and warm sun. She was “Queen for a day,” each day on the sand, adorned with a generous dollop of zinc oxide on her nose and that raggedy scarf on her head, standing like a crown in the breeze.

Ginny was deeply, profoundly proud of her family. Her sister was at the center of Ginny's earthly orbit. Her nephew Bill and his family, her niece Marcie and her family, all found her love and attention. Ginny's late Aunts and Uncles adored her, and she them. The generation of cousins that are here today (Joey, Tina, Ashley, Paul, Juliann, Adam, John, Michael, Jacob, Fred, Gus, and I (and all her many cousins)) are all the richer for having been in Ginny's golden, warm embrace. Ginny attended field hockey games, choir concerts, school band performances. She visited her freshman cousins off to college, eager to see their dorms and hear their dreams. She was moved by each child and each of their accomplishments. I know this to be true: She came for Gus. She never missed a tee ball playoff, choir concert, play, musical, honor society candle lighting or graduation. Her interest, her support, her devotion were truly exceptionally.

What physical pain, sadness, disappointment, or loss Ginny experienced, she bore without complaint. A most gifted social hostess, Ginny once again held forth at her famous and well-attended Christmas brunch just days ago.

Oh that incredible memory of Ginny's. She never forgot a name or a detail. Because Ginny remembered to love life, she remembered to celebrate life. She loved family, she loved friends. The friends she gathered about her in life became a part of her family.

We will always have our own special memory of Ginny. And if we remember as Ginny did, to take a genuine in interest in another, perhaps our own memories will be that much richer.

Ginny would say that is “bee-you-ti-ful!”

The late Allegheny County Judge Silvestri Silvestri's court officer was an unforgettable John Bodnar. I question whether any of John's former jurors could forget him if they tried. I note Cheryl Frasca's note & my suspicions are aroused, i. e., perish the thought that I have the right John Bodnar . God bless the Bodnar family & friends wherever they may be. Take care.

I worked for Ginny's husband as a teenager and later worked with her as a teacher. We had some wonderful memories while at ROFO! Rest in peace, Ginny and condolences to your loved ones. Ms. S. Proffitt

Ms. Bodnar was a special teacher at Bayside Elementary and touched many students there. Everyone has a few teachers that can touch their heart and one you will always remember and Virginia Bodnar did that to all she taught! My condolences to the family and her friends.

I feel very blessed to have known Ginny. May God watch over John, Penny, and the other members of Ginny's family.

You were truly a grand teacher--one I know your former students will NEVER forget. RIP, Ginny. You will be missed.

John and Family,
Susan and I were very saddened to learn of Ginny's passing. Please know that you and the rest of your family are in our thoughts and Prayers.

Rest in Peace, Aunt Ginny!! Like so many, I am blessed to have had you in my life! I shall love you always.

Our Love and Prayers are with Penny,Family and Friend's. Ginny was a person who shared her love of life with so many,we will miss her.

Mrs. Bodnar was my first grade teacher at Bayside Elementary and I think about her often even after all these years. My symphathy is with her family.

I knew Ginny through fellow teachers who LOVED teaching with her. Ginny lit up a room with her WONDERFUL spirit and her BEAUTIFUL smile. She was ALWAYS smiling at everyone in our church, Star of the Sea. She will be missed by so many of us. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand, and may you find peace in knowing how much we all LOVED Dear Ginny.

It was a pleasure to have worked across the hall from Ginny for many years. Loved the lunchroom chats about cats, travel and sunshine! Thank you for opening up your lovely home to so many ROFO functions. You are missed!!!

What an amazing first grade teacher Virginia Bodnar was. She lives on in all of her loving students. Rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of your loss. She will be missed by many. May peace be with the entire family. There will be a time when you will be able to see her again in paradise. Matt 5:28, 29

It is often said by people that when a famous celebrity from their childhood dies, that they feel as if they lost part of their childhood.
With Ginny, er, Mrs. Bodnar's passing, even though I was in her first grade class over 40 years ago at Bayside Elementary, she still as a teacher has a impact on me. I often strived to have the super neat handwriting she had and while I got close, I never quite got there.
She taught us compassion that 1971-72 school year when one of our classmates had to have open heart surgery at CHKD. She had all of us make get well cards to send to the hospital. She showed extra patience and tenacity with me the day after Hallloween that year, when I learned that morning before school that I had acquired a baby brother in addition to the Halloween candy I had collected the night before.
She will never be forgotten!

Ginny! You were such a wonderful friend you will be miss a bunch RIP,you touched so many lives.

Our sympathy for Ginny's sister, Penny, and cousins, Joe, Tina, Joseph, and Ashley Salopek. So very many lives were touched by this amazing woman. Love, Craig, Connie, & Brian Kontra

Was a pleasure knowing Ginny in high school (TCHS'61). Will miss her at our reunions. Rest in Peace.

Rosemont Forest Elementary School will miss you, Ginny! You touched many lives through your gift of teaching.

We we will always love and miss you Aunt Ginny, Darcy and Johnny Sprow

John, sister Penny and Ginny's friends and family near and afar ... peace be with you. Ginny will truly be missed by all of us in our own special way and her spirit a part of us forever.
With love, Cousin alBert

It was an honor to know my Aunt Ginny. Aunt Ginny showed me how to be a special Lady. Because of my Aunt Ginny I have the best looking table around for the holidays. Aunt Ginny always listened to my silly police stories and laughed. My heart is sad and I LOVE YOU AUNT GINNY
LOVE MARCY

We were so very sorry to hear of Ginny's passing. Our deepest sympathy to Penny and her family. We hope your memories will be a comfort to you all in the days ahead.
With love,
Pam, Greg, and Brendan Lyle
Warren, PA

I am so sorry to hear of Ginny's passing. She was truly a special person and I loved her sense of humor. Rest in peace Ginny