Virginia LaRocque Steltzer
April 17, 1925 – April 7, 2021
It is with full hearts that the family of Virginia LaRocque Steltzer announces her passing on April 7th, 2021.Virginia (Ginnie) was born April 17, 1925 in Saranac Lake, NY to Adelard and Lena Melaven LaRocque. The family moved to Plattsburg, NY where she later attended clerical school and worked at Champlain Valley Hospital. In 1946 she and Francis D. Steltzer were married and had six children. Francis worked in city planning and later as Mayor of Plattsburgh, and Virginia assumed the role of first lady, giving her many opportunities to serve their community and build lasting friendships.
After relocating to Burlington NC in 1971, Virginia became an active volunteer at Blessed Sacrament Church, Allied Churches, Loaves and Fishes and Meals on Wheels. She also worked at Sellars Department Store for many years. She was a great friend to others, enjoyed reading, gardening, golf, and bridge. Though she enjoyed cooking, she was well known for her amaretto pound cakes, which she shared freely with friends, neighbors and acquaintances.
Within this close-knit family, every holiday, anniversary, birthday or weekend was a reason for Ginnie to bring family and friends together to entertain. After serving a memorable feast she would cajole the young children to show what they had learned in Suzuki violin. As the grandchildren got older, the living room was turned into a concert hall and Virginia beamed as we all enjoyed the entertainment. She was immensely proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Virginia was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Francis D. Steltzer and daughter Sharron F. Steltzer. She is survived by her children Edward (Lisa) Steltzer, Gina Steltzer, Dora (Tom) Barvir, Mary (Jim) Young, Sarah (Bruce) Cade, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
On May 18th, at 11 am family and close friends will join for a joint memorial service at Blessed Sacrament Church for Virginia and daughter Sharron F. Steltzer who passed away on February 21, 2021 from Parkinson’s Disease.
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