Obituary of Virginia Lity

Virginia "Gina" Lity, age 84, formerly of Bridgeport, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2019.

Born in Central Falls, Rhode Island, May 18, 1935, daughter of the late Vasil and Olga Shery Lity, Virginia/Gina/Ginny was a Bridgeport resident since 1940. She was a graduate of Bassick High School and the University of Connecticut where she majored in foreign languages and minored in english. Post graduate work at the University of Bridgeport, University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras and Columbia T.C. contributed to her Master's degree. She retired from the Bridgeport School System where she joyfully worked with children, teachers and parents as a teacher, language Development director and principal.

Coming from an immigrant background, Virginia grew up in a neighborhood rich in languages and customs, many different from her own. This community environment encouraged her to teach language. In the 1970's, Virginia was tapped by the Board of Education to develop ESL and transitional bilingual programs/curricula for students whose native language was not english. Grant writing, visits to Washington to speak for funds, hiring/training teachers and purchase of materials supported these programs. She was often called upon by local and state universities for workshops on Urban Education and English language acquisition. Summer vacations and frequent trips to NY enabled Virginia to continue her study of Linguistics at the University of Puerto Rico and Columbia University.

In the 1960's, she was heard regularly on radio WICC with bilingual (English/Spanish) public service announcements and mini-language segments. A sports enthusiast, Virginia cheered on her Boston Red Sox and UCONN Huskies. She enjoyed skiing in the winter and long walks around St. Mary's by the Sea whenever the weather permitted. At the age of 65, she enthusiastically embraced theater as an exciting hobby, appearing in Community Theater in New Haven, Stratford, Westport, Wilton, Stamford and New York and more recently gained fame as an actor in the television commercial for the Companions and Homemaker Service.

A devoted member of St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church, she loved singing as the assistant director of the Church choir, she belonged to the Benevolent Societatea Farsarotul and the Retirees Group, all of whom were a part of who she was. Another special part of her life was singing in the harmony on the Sound chorus of Sweet Adelines. She was ever-grateful for the diversity in her life on this earth.

Virginia is survived by her beloved sister/best friend, Elena Watras and her husband James, her precious nieces Korin Watras and Mikel Gulec and her husband Ahmet and their children Leo Koray and Rosy Suzán and many cousins and good friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. directly at St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Rd., Easton with burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery. Friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Dimitrie Church. Arrangements in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home.

Virginia’s family wishes to thank all the nurses, care team, support staff and fellow residents at LiveWell, Southington for their loving care and friendship. And a big thank you to all those who have been praying for her.

To sign an online register or to get travel directions, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com