Virginia Loraine Van Rees Christy

July 12, 1936 – February 25, 2022

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Virginia Loraine Van Rees Christy, 85, of Seaford, Delaware, passed away in her home, surrounded by family, on February 25, 2022. She is survived by her devoted husband of 22 years, Vincent, her loving children, William Eccleston (Olivia), Janice Eccleston (Chris), Kevin Eccleston (Heidi), and her cherished grandchildren, Keira and Ethan Eccleston.

 

Virginia was born in Rockville Centre, New York, and spent her childhood in Merrick, NY. She attended Mepham High School, in North Bellmore, NY, and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Virginia, endearingly called “Miss Ginny” by her elementary school students, taught generations of children, grades K-6, and was remembered fondly by her students for her dedication to teaching them not only how to read, but also inspiring a greater appreciation of the value of reading. Dearest to her heart was reading for hours to her own children and grandchildren.

 

Virginia was predeceased by her beloved parents, Edwin and Loraine Van Rees, and her dear brother, Edwin Van Rees, Jr., all of Merrick, NY.

 

A long-time resident of Delaware County, PA, Virginia raised her children in Glen Mills, PA, and then Wallingford, PA, later residing in Swarthmore, PA. She returned to Glen Mills, where she later met and married Vincent Christy.

 

Virginia loved the beach, and the ocean, having been raised on Long Island, NY, at Jones Beach, and spending many long weekends and holidays boating with the Van Rees family and later, her own children, so Virginia and Vincent eventually moved to Seaford, DE, to enjoy spending more time near the beach.

 

Private burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona. Memorial contributions may be made to Reading Is Fundamental, www.rif.org.