Obituary for Virginia Mae Staubley (Burbine)
Virginia Mae (Burbine) Knapp Staubley, 85, of Westerly, RI passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on August 19, 2022.
Virginia was born in Westerly to Joseph and Anna Mabelle Burbine, who predeceased her.
She attended Westerly schools until her teen years, then moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin where her father was stationed at the Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse. She later moved back to Westerly and graduated with the Class of 1955 as a member of the National Honor Society.
Virginia was a stay-at-home mom for many years, spending her days sewing, crocheting and baking. Her children were her life and she always had some homemade goodies baked for them and always made her own pasta for her homemade sauce. She later worked and retired from Sears, Roebuck & Co in New London as the Human Resource Manager and moved back to Westerly, across the street from her daughter. She became a long time volunteer at the Westerly Hospital and the voting polls at Westerly Middle School.
Virginia became very involved in the Dunns Corners Community Church, Presbyterian. She sang in the choir, played in the English Handbell Choir, served on many boards and loved working with the children. Most of all, she made a lot of wonderful friends and re-connected with many friends from school. Virginia was a 59-year cancer survivor and was a past recipient of the Courage Award at the Westerly Relay for Life.
Virginia is survived by her daughter Deanna Chapman and son William Knapp, both of Westerly; her brother Matthew Burbine of Griswold, CT; and her grandchildren, Amber Olverson (Mike) of Fredericksburg, VA, Heather Silva (Joseph) of Preston, CT, Kristin Sestito (Christopher) of Leander, TX, Nicole Austin (Zachery) of Westerly, and Kirsten Chapman (Zachary Service) of Bozrah, CT. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Joseph Silva, Jr., Damion Chapman, McKenzie Olverson, Alexa Austin, Teagan Olverson, Adelyn Silva, Jon Sestito, Haley Sestito and Kamdyn Austin; as well as several nephews.
Virginia was predeceased by her daughters, Paula Jean Knapp and Laurie Ann Stugard; her sister Joanne Cantrell; brothers, John and Joseph Burbine II; and her son-in-law Robert Chapman, Jr.
A special thank you to Michelle from Beacon Palliative Care and Meg from Beacon Hospice. They took such wonderful care of Virginia, as well as gave support for her family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Dunns Corners Community Church Presbyterian, 221 Post Rd., Westerly, RI 02891.
Visiting hours are omitted. A Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, Sept. 3rd at DCCCP, Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is assisting with arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
Virginia was born in Westerly to Joseph and Anna Mabelle Burbine, who predeceased her.
She attended Westerly schools until her teen years, then moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin where her father was stationed at the Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse. She later moved back to Westerly and graduated with the Class of 1955 as a member of the National Honor Society.
Virginia was a stay-at-home mom for many years, spending her days sewing, crocheting and baking. Her children were her life and she always had some homemade goodies baked for them and always made her own pasta for her homemade sauce. She later worked and retired from Sears, Roebuck & Co in New London as the Human Resource Manager and moved back to Westerly, across the street from her daughter. She became a long time volunteer at the Westerly Hospital and the voting polls at Westerly Middle School.
Virginia became very involved in the Dunns Corners Community Church, Presbyterian. She sang in the choir, played in the English Handbell Choir, served on many boards and loved working with the children. Most of all, she made a lot of wonderful friends and re-connected with many friends from school. Virginia was a 59-year cancer survivor and was a past recipient of the Courage Award at the Westerly Relay for Life.
Virginia is survived by her daughter Deanna Chapman and son William Knapp, both of Westerly; her brother Matthew Burbine of Griswold, CT; and her grandchildren, Amber Olverson (Mike) of Fredericksburg, VA, Heather Silva (Joseph) of Preston, CT, Kristin Sestito (Christopher) of Leander, TX, Nicole Austin (Zachery) of Westerly, and Kirsten Chapman (Zachary Service) of Bozrah, CT. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Joseph Silva, Jr., Damion Chapman, McKenzie Olverson, Alexa Austin, Teagan Olverson, Adelyn Silva, Jon Sestito, Haley Sestito and Kamdyn Austin; as well as several nephews.
Virginia was predeceased by her daughters, Paula Jean Knapp and Laurie Ann Stugard; her sister Joanne Cantrell; brothers, John and Joseph Burbine II; and her son-in-law Robert Chapman, Jr.
A special thank you to Michelle from Beacon Palliative Care and Meg from Beacon Hospice. They took such wonderful care of Virginia, as well as gave support for her family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Dunns Corners Community Church Presbyterian, 221 Post Rd., Westerly, RI 02891.
Visiting hours are omitted. A Funeral Service will be held at 11am on Saturday, Sept. 3rd at DCCCP, Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is assisting with arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com