Virginia Grace (Ginny) DeStefano, 78, of Belford passed away peacefully May 11, 2021, at home with many loved ones and close family by her side, after a long, courageous battle with illness. Ginny was born May 23, 1942 at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City to the late Harold and Gertrude Borer.
Ginny spent her youth growing up in and around the Jersey City area and frequenting her favorite places to socialize such as Palisades Amusement Park, roller skating, the iconic Callahan’s Hot Dogs, boating with her father on Greenwood Lake and trips to Norwood to spend time with her Aunt Francis whom she often told many fun stories about.
After marrying and starting a family in Jersey City she soon moved to Belford in 1971 where she raised her three children and spent many years hosting holiday family gatherings, backyard picnics, family vacations to Cape Cod, enjoying trips to Atlantic City, taking the kids on road trips to Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, the Land of Make Believe and volunteering in the school and surrounding community, all while working many jobs to help raise her children and provide for their future.
Always caring more for others, Ginny had a soft spot for animals and she adopted and cared for numerous family pets over the years including cats, dogs and any animal the kids wanted to have, including birds, fish, hamsters, turtles and, yes, even ducks at one point.
Ginny was a source of fun stories and endless family history with her amazing memory of names, birth dates and boundless experiences. There was never a shortage of stories Ginny could tell you just by looking at an old photo or even the mention of someone’s name. She will be missed by many and always remembered as someone who appreciated having fun.
Ginny was predeceased by her mother and father and four siblings, Harold, Phyllis, Trudy and Richie. She is survived by her devoted husband Tony of 57 years; her sister Marilyn Matthews of Little Egg Harbor; her sister-in-law Norine Borer of Pennsylvania; her children Harold and his wife Billie Jo of Denver, Pennsylvania, Anthony and his wife Trish of Oakhurst, Jannine and her husband Gary of Monmouth Beach, and former daughter-in-law Diane of Pennsylvania; and 11 grandchildren, Virginia, Carolyn, Harold Jr., Gertrude, Mary Jane, Barbara, Roxanne, Thomas, Anthony Jr., Matthew and Casey. Ginny also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were very special to her throughout her life; Jannine’s childhood friend Rachel of 42 years who was there for her and the family during these difficult times; and finally, her beloved cats Johnny, Melinda and Lola.
Visitation was May 14 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, with a service given during visitation.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations in Ginny’s honor to the Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) or your local animal shelter.
To share a favorite memory or send messages of condolence, please visit Ginny’s page of tributes at pflegerfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the May 20 – 26, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
