Racine – Virginia “Ginny” Rose (nee: Zastoupil) Vachon, age 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Saturday morning, February 1, 2014 at the Elizabeth Residence.
Ginny was born in Tomah, WI on December 7, 1927 to the late John and Ann (nee: Mitzey) Zastoupil. She received her education at St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and went on to graduate from Tomah High School in 1945. On April 4, 1959 in Tomah, Ginny was united in marriage with the love of her life, Wilfred “Red” Vachon, who preceded her in death on February 25, 1988.
She began her working career with the Tomah Public Schools as a secretary & bookkeeper for 10 years before moving to Racine in 1955. In Racine, Ginny was employed with the Racine Unified School District for 31 years – first in the Payroll Dept. and eventually as secretary to the Assistant Superintendent, retiring in 1987.
Ginny was a life member of the Wisconsin Educational Secretaries Assn. where she served in various state offices including President; former President of the Racine Educational Secretaries Assn.; member of the National Association Educational Office Personnel; Racine Catholic Women’s Club where she had served as Director & Secretary; served as Treasurer & President of the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Rosary Society; and was active with Friends of Seniors. With a profound Catholic faith, she was a faithful member of St. Stanislaus Congregation and current member of St. Edward Parish. Among her interests, Ginny enjoyed traveling – especially to Europe, China & Australia; and loved spending time on Lake Galilee near Mellen, WI.
Surviving are her brother-in-law, Jerry Ziegler; sister-in-law, Lois Kohel; special nephews, Gary Ziegler and James (Cindy) Ziegler; adored great-nephew, Nicholas Ziegler; step-daughter-in-law, Mary Kellems; step-son, Duane Vachon; step-grandchildren, Allen, Mike and David; other dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Ginny was preceded in death by her sisters, Bernadine (Richard) Gleason and Jane Ziegler; sisters-in-law, Arlia (Herschel) Hembrook and Jeanette (Richard) Puck; and brothers-in-law, Don Kohel and Albert (Libbie) Alery.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Edward Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Avenue, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 11:00 am with Rev. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be in the church on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorials to St. Edward Parish or to the American Diabetes Association have been suggested.
A heartfelt note of thanks to the wonderful staff at Elizabeth Residence; and to everyone who helped her with dialysis three days a week for the compassionate care and support given in Ginny’s time of need. May God bless all of you!
Williams family says
Condolences to the Vachon family. Throw all your burdens on God in prayer now and in the days ahead, and the Bible promises that you will receive “the peace of God.” Philippians 4:6 & 7. Our prayers are with you.
D K says
We will miss you grams….
Mary Kellems says
Ginny and Red were loving grandparents to my sons Allen, Mike and David. Ginny continued that caring tradition long after Red had passed. Our family will always have fond memories of Ginny – her kindness and thoughtfulness.