Virginia Calabrese

Virginia “Ginger” Calabrese was born in Melber, KY, on August 28, 1939. She and her twin brother were two of the six children of Jewell and Annalee Apperson. Ginger moved to the Chicago area after graduating from Lowes High School. There she met Jacques “Jack” Calabrese, whom she wed in November 1959. They had four children and were married for nearly 40 years before he passed away in May 1999. Their family would eventually also include thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ginger was a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In her lifetime, she enjoyed sewing, crafts, travel, golf, playing games, reading, listening to music (especially Elvis), and rocking her grandbabies.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, Jewell and Annalee Apperson; her husband, Jack; daughter-in-law Rozann Abraham Calabrese; twin brother Otis “Terrell” Apperson; and siblings Joe Apperson and Marilyn Jackson.

She is survived by her four children, Lori Calabrese Frank, Jack (Gayle) Calabrese, Jeffrey (Karen) Calabrese, and Kevin (Brandie) Calabrese; sisters Katie (Richard) Glisson and Peggy (Bob) Hobbs; grandchildren Ryan (Katie) Frank, Michael Calabrese, Cody (Ashley) Calabrese, Anthony (Kellie) Calabrese, Sarah Frank, Miranda (Tate) Thompson, McKenna Calabrese, Savanna Calabrese, Cameron (Jenna) Calabrese, Joe Calabrese, Caden Calabrese, Jake Calabrese, and Nathan Calabrese; great-grandchildren Clyde and Dyna Calabrese; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will celebrate Ginger’s life on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels in Roselle, IL. Visitation will take place at 9:30-11:30 a.m.  with the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. followed by burial at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery.