Virginia Grace Pfundstein, 100 years young, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 23, 2025.
Virginia is survived by her seven loving children and spouses: Rev. Edward Pfundstein, Annette Andersen (Paul), Marian Bottinelli (Roberto), Mark Pfundstein (Diane), Ariana Morningsong (Gary Hall), Ellen Glanowski (Ray) and Terry Sochacki (Ed), 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Virginia (“Ginny”) Dondero was born in 1924 in Beacon, New York, a quaint town along the Hudson River. She had a full childhood, despite losing her father at an early age, from World War I casualties. Her parents, Charles and Grace Dondero, owned the Dondero Block building at 174-176 Main St. in Beacon, New York.
In high school she worked in a “Rosie the Riveter”-type role, gluing pockets in rafts. Inspired by her mother, who was a teacher, she continued her education and graduated from Cornell University in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science. Before she was married, she had several jobs as a home economist, enabling her success and independence.
While at Cornell attending a Newman Club dance, she met Gerard Pfundstein, her future husband. They remained in contact, continuing to date over the next few years, and eventually married in 1949. They were married for 65 years.
Virginia’s heartbeat was to be a fulltime mom when her children were young. As the youngest became school age she took the opportunity to fulfill her other passion of working. Her love of using what she learned and being with people found its place teaching preschool, working many years in hospital dietetics in New York and Florida. She also was the caregiver for her mother until her death. After moving to Florida, she and Gerard were involved in St. Margaret Mary Church as Eucharistic ministers for 25 years.
They both enjoyed traveling, family time and reunions, being outdoors, biking, cooking and baking, reading, and adult education. She maintained close friendships with several women for up to 80 years, writing letters in a “round-robin” style, which gave her strength throughout life’s challenges. Virginia was a real people person, enjoying life to its fullest with tremendous vitality, noted for her infectious laugh, love of God and maintaining unity in the family.
A Celebration of Life was held June 3 at Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and a funeral Mass on June 4 at the St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Snellville, Georgia.
