Virginia C. Potrzeba

Virginia C. Potrzeba, 89, of Utica, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on November 4, 1935, Virginia was the daughter of the late John and Anelia (Kuzma) Ptak, and her childhood was based on a strong Polish upbringing. She graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1953. On August 3, 1957, she married Edward Potrzeba, with whom she shared a devoted and blessed union until his passing in March 2015. Virginia was employed with General Electric before joining her husband, Ed and son, Ed Jr., in the family business/Upstate Office Equipment/Ed and Ed Business Technology, where she worked for over 43 years there with pride and dedication. Virginia was active, energetic, and full of life. An avid golfer, Virginia was a dedicated member of the Skenandoa Club for over 45 years, where she participated in the women's 9 and 18 ladies' golf league and cherished the Friday night dinners and friendships she made there. She loved boating, gardening, traveling, fishing, and loved cooking and trying new recipes. Virginia was a spectacular cook and continued throughout her life to make and share beautiful family dishes like Polish pierogi, golumpki, and borscht among other dishes. She cooked for her family every night with dinner on the table at 5pm on the dot without fail. A woman of strong Catholic faith, she was a devoted parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Utica, where her faith guided her life and values always. Along with her faith, she leaves a legacy of love for Polish food and traditions that she shared with her family, which will continue to be passed down to future generations in her honor forever. She was a devoted wife and mother and she will be deeply missed. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Deborah) and Edward Jr. (Heather) Potrzeba; grandchildren, Dr. Amy (Dan) Macrina, Dr. Joshua (Megan) Potrzeba, Amber Soriano (Joe Wyborski), Edward Potrzeba III, and Charles Potrzeba; great-grandchildren, Parker Macrina and Reagan Potrzeba; sister-in-law, Dolores Ptak; as well as many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember her. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Ted Kulesa; infant son, Mark; sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Charles Mierzwa; twin brothers, Eugene Ptak and Edward (Beverly) Ptak; and her in-laws, Vincent and Mildred Potrzeba. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, Utica. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following visitation at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Yorkville. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia's memory may be made to Upstate Foundation, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, or online at upstatefoundation.org. The family would like to thank Tatiana Ferrone and her band of angels, the staff at Brookdale Senior Living and MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their support in Virginia's final months. Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd, Utica. Messages of sympathy at kowalczykfuneralhome.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia, please visit our floral store.