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Virginia M. DeGolyer

Virginia M. DeGolyer

Virginia M. “Ginny” DeGolyer died Friday November 23, 2018 at Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center where she had been residing. She was born February 13, 1926 in Versailles, NY to Harry and Catherine (Urban) Merrill. Virginia graduated from Gowanda Central School and shortly after that she met and married her husband Carl (Bud) DeGolyer. They married in June 1948.

They lived in Gowanda until 1966 when the family moved to Fredonia. At that

time Virginia was hired at the Vineyard Restaurant. She worked there as a

waitress for 30 years and made many lifelong friends. After her retirement, Virginia was able to focus on her true passions; her art, her gardens, her cooking and her friends. She was a talented artist and took great pleasure in creating and painting to be able to give some happiness to someone else. She was very active in her church and was well known for her homemade pies. Also, she was the devoted founder and leader of “DeGolyer’s Dollies”. This was a loving group of friends who met at her house every Tuesday for 25 years to share a cup of coffee, work on crafts, laugh together and love each other. Only when Virginia became physically unable to do it anymore did

the group stop meeting. But their friendships lasted. Survivors include two

sons, Douglas of Fredonia and Robert (Denise) of Summerville, SC; and one

daughter, Janine of Dunkirk. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Erin

(Brian) Monacelli of LaCrescenta, CA, Mark (Damon) DeGolyer of Buffalo, Lindsey Bauza (Alex Moon) of Fredonia, Michael Alaimo of SC and Kyle

(Jen) DeGolyer of Johns Island, SC. Virginia is further survived by six great-grandchildren, Alexa, Max and Maia Monacelli, Joella and Cruz Bauza, and Jai

Presley DeGolyer. Besides her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her husband Carl; two brothers, Harry Merrill Jr. and George Merrill; and her

brother-in-law, James DeGolyer. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday December 2, at the Fredonia First United Methodist Church, 25 Church Street, Fredonia, Pastor Nettie will officiate. Visitation from noon to 12:30 p.m., service to follow at 12:30. Flowers gratefully declined. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.