Virginia Commins

CEDAR — Virginia Lou Commins, 80, of Cedar, died early Monday morning, May 23, 2011, at her home following a long illness. Born June 8, 1930, in Cedar, she was the daughter of the late Clemens and Sophia Barbara (Stachnik) Rosinski. On Nov. 17, 1951, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Cedar, she married Keith Stuart Commins. Together they had two daughters, Kateri "Kit" and Lori.Her family moved back to Cedar, where she attended Holy Rosary School. She continued her education and became a Practical Nurse. Employed by Munson Medical Center for 40 years, she worked mostly in pediatrics and as a unit clerk in the psychiatric department. Ginny was also a 'go-for' and part owner of Cedar Hardware along with her daughter and son-in-law.Virginia and Keith liked to travel. They especially enjoyed going to Florida and watching the Tigers spring training. They stayed at the same hotel as the Tigers did, and she was able to obtain autographs from Trammel, Fedritch and many more of the winners. One year they were made Citizens of the Day by Radio Station WLDR. After Keith's passing she retired from Munson and wintered at New Symrna Beach, Fla., and met many new friends from all over the United States and Canada.At home, Ginger liked to play cards or board games with her family. She also liked to do crafts, painting and playing in her garden. She shared much of her time with her two granddaughters, whom she loved with all her heart. One of her last wishes was to be able to attend her eldest granddaughter's wedding last October in Grand Rapids, which she did!Many times you would find Gin at home cooking her famous chicken and dumplings! She always had one, if not both, of her granddaughters in the kitchen teaching them all her tricks. They loved her angel food cake with boiled frosting, which most of the time they would rather sit there with the bowl of frosting, which grandma so kindly accommodated.She was a lifelong member of Holy Rosary Church, where she served as an Eucharistic Minister. Virginia also helped at the Cedar Polka Festival.Virginia is survived by her loving family; daughters, Kit (Ron) Novak and Lori Commins, all of Cedar; granddaughters, KC (Tim) Johnson and Hannah Novak, both of Grand Rapids; siblings, Rose Oberski, of Sterling Heights, Donald (Dorothy) Rosinski, of Traverse City, and Frank (Helen) Rosinski, of Cedar; along with many nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Klemens and Michael Rosinski; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Oberski.In remembrance of Virginia, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 900 East Front Street, Suite 150, Traverse City, MI 49686; or to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 6982 Schomberg Road, Cedar, MI 49621. Envelopes may be obtained at the church.The Commins family will receive friends Friday, May 27, 2011, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Cedar, from 3 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at the church on Saturday, May 28, 2011, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Donald Libby will serve as the celebrant. Graveside services and burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family wants to give thanks to all who helped, especially Hospice of Michigan, Maple Valley Nursing Home and the Rev Libby for making Gin's lasts months and days comfortable and peaceful.Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.