Virginia Ann "Ginny" Rutkowski

1934 - 2023

Virginia "Ginny" Ann Rutkowski

Virginia "Ginny" Ann Rutkowski, 88, of Sylvania, OH, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania, OH. She was born into a Polish immigrant family on June 18, 1934, during the Great Depression, the fourth of seven children, in Toledo, OH. Her parents were Paul and Hattie Zaryczanski.

Following high school, she attended nursing school at Detwiler Hospital, Wauseon, OH, and in a unique way, she met her future husband, Kenneth, through a group photograph published in The (Toledo) Blade, which Kenneth noticed while serving in the Air force. They connected by mail, writing love letters for over a year, and on Labor Day, 1955 Kenneth and Virginia were married at St. Hedwig's Church. They were married for over 67 years.

Virginia worked as an LPN, caring for newborn babies in the nurseries at both St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and The Toledo Hospital for more than 40 years, retiring in 1995.

After retirement, Virginia enjoyed travelling with her husband, especially trips to Mackinac Island staying at the Grand Hotel, going on cruises, and visiting casinos. Virginia loved cooking and baking. She was known for her delicious home-made pies, Polish coffee cakes, and for making a wide variety of Christmas cookies every year. She also enjoyed gardening, especially planting flowers. Virginia loved shopping, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and she was a skilled embroiderer.

Virginia will be greatly missed by her loving husband of more than 67 years, Kenneth Rutkowski; daughters, Joyce Marie (Bert) Michalczyk and Janet Lynn Ontko; son, James Michael Rutkowski; grandchildren, Stephen, Gregory, Geoffrey, Gwen, and Thomas; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Zaryczanski. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Dorothy and Rose; and brothers, John, Daniel, and Paul.

Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH, Sunday, February 5th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with scripture service at 3:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be conducted at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Sylvania, Monday, February 6th at 10:00 a.m. Virginia will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

Those wishing to offer memorials are asked to consider the Shriners Hospitals.

Family and friends are invited to leave a condolence at

www.www.reebfuneralhome.com