Virginia Catinchi Betancourt

April 2, 1939 - October 1, 2024

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues:

It is with a heavy heart that my sister Debbie and I want to inform you that our Mom, Ginny, passed away on Tuesday, October 1st. She died peacefully in her sleep.

As many of you know, our Mom fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Over the course of more than 10 years, this disease gradually robbed her of all that she had been. In her heyday, she was an independent, smart, funny, opinionated, spunky woman. The 7th of eight children, she marched to the beat of her own drum ever since she was a kid. She was one of a kind, who left an indelible mark wherever she went.

While she dedicated the beginning of her life to raising us, in the latter part of her life, she worked in community relations for a pharmaceutical company in Puerto Rico. This was her job, but I don’t think that many knew the depths of her compassion for others, especially those less fortunate. She always rooted for the underdog and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She believed in the goodness of people, despite all the blows that life had dealt her. And she lived by the motto that you treat the king and the pauper equally, with the same dignity and kindness.

To us, she was the best Mom that one could ask for. She was often tough, but there was no doubt in our minds that she loved us entirely and unconditionally. She pushed us to be better and she instilled in us a belief that we could be whatever we wanted to be. She taught us by example the importance of grit and of staying the course. She was never afraid to put in the hard work, especially to make sure we had everything we needed.

Her mark was felt by her immediate and extended family. Her surviving sister, Chele, and brother-in-law, Boogie, were famous travel companions. Her niece, Sharee, was another daughter to her. Within our extended family, even in the throes of her sickness, she was able to have fun and share many beautiful moments.

Our Mom endured a devastating disease, one that we would not wish upon anyone. But we are immensely grateful that it gave us the opportunity to make her feel safe when life was scary, and to let her know how much she was loved, appreciated and cherished.

May she rest in peace with the knowledge that she will forever live in our hearts and in the hearts of all those she touched during her time on Earth.