Virginia S. Reiser

Ginny, loving wife, sister, aunt and generous friend to many, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 9. Ginny was an accomplished writer, and was very proud to have completed a novel of literary fiction and was working on a second. She edited a book of poetry and had a short story published, “Pasta Della Nonna” which was made into a play. A cultured artist who painted and appreciated all forms of art, she gave great support to many artists through the years. She was also an extraordinary chef having lived in Tuscany in 1984 to study the cuisine long before it became popular to do so. Once mastered, she found tremendous joy in creating the perfect environment for friends and family with gracious dinners coupled with impeccable taste, grace, and generosity.

She was a Jersey girl, growing up in River Edge and River Vale with years of joyous summers with her cousins from the “UCC” (United Circle of Cousins) on the NJ shore. As a young woman, she delighted in driving her 1960 red convertible MG roadster, often with her cousin Kathi in the passenger seat with an eye out for the young men.

She graduated from Indiana University in 1971 not only securing a degree in English literature but also securing the heart of her devoted husband of 44 years Gary Urgonski. They traveled together extensively to Italy, France, Spain, England, Ireland, Norway and Morocco and were inseparable.

Her twin passions of cooking and writing led her to explore both deeply, first by opening a successful café and catering business, and later by completing her Master of Fine Arts in Writing at Vermont College in 2006. It’s hard to think about what makes up a life, but Ginny always tried to expand her horizons and follow her passions.

She was a remarkable woman who walked in grace, displayed great love, and understood the little things that make life joyful.

A celebration of her life with friends and family is being planned for the near future.

Donations in Ginny’s honor can be made to the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA, where she honed her artistry, and should be marked “In Honor of Virginia Reiser.”