Virginia Gregory Kallus

Virginia Gregory Kallus, age 75, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 at her home in Houston surrounded by her loving family. After suffering for years from a degenerative nerve condition that slowly took away her mobility, it was unexpected complications from COPD that led to her passing from this world. Ginger, as she was known by all, was born in the Heights area of Houston on December 8, 1947 to parents Leon Gregory and Esthera (Twardowski) Gregory.

Ginger grew up in a large, loving Polish family and was the oldest of six siblings followed in order of age by her brother Dennis Gregory, sisters Martha Koch (Tusha), Leona Kuzma (Ona), Rosemary Wisnoski (Coco), and her youngest brother Thomas Gregory. Ginger attended Reagan High School and loved to go dancing, eventually meeting her future husband Dennis Kallus at Sixth Street Dance Hall. Dennis and Ginger got married on April 19, 1969 at All Saints Catholic Church and were only ten days away from their 54th Wedding Anniversary at the time of her passing.

Ginger had three sons starting with oldest Daniel Kallus, followed by Stephen Kallus, and a few years later by her youngest, David Kallus. Though she did work at a bank after high school, Ginger’s lifetime vocation was raising her three sons and eventually helping to raise her six grandchildren Cameron Kallus (Camie), Eva Kallus (Skeebs), Noelle Kallus, Drew Kallus, Aaron Kallus, and Juliet Kallus. Her caring for family did not stop there as she extended that love to her 17 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and -nephews and daughters-in-law Cathy Kallus and Tiffany Kallus. In these efforts, there was no more devoted of a mom, grandma and aunt. If career achievement awards were handed out for this role, Ginger undoubtedly would be put into the Hall of Fame.

In addition to dancing waltzes and polkas, of which she had ample opportunity at the many, many Czech and Polish weddings in the family over the years, Ginger also loved to travel, particularly to Carmel with her husband and Disney World with her whole family. She enjoyed very much to watch all her kids and grandkids play sports. She loved to cheer on the Houston Astros. And she definitely loved to watch movies and read books. In her later years when she was no longer able to get out of the house very much due to her condition, she both found and brought great joy to the weekly gatherings of her kids and grandkids at her and Dennis’s house where family meals always turned into great, festive celebrations. And streaming definitely came along at just the right time, as she would watch nearly every show available on every service into the wee hours of the night with her husband.

She put up a valiant battle in her final week, coming back many times from the brink of passing to get just one more goodbye with her devoted family who stayed by her side 24/7 during this trying week. A devoted Catholic, Ginger was able to hang in until Easter Day. A most fitting day as she was born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. She was surrounded by her family watching Easter Mass on Youtube that morning, and received communion from a Eucharistic Minister just one hour before she left to go to the Lord. It was a glorious way to exit by a most glorious person.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 13, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, located at 10135 West Rd, Houston, TX 77064. A Vigil Service will begin at 7:00pm, followed by a praying of the rosary. There will also be Visitation at St. Max from 10:00am to 11:00am Friday, April 14 followed by a Funeral Mass starting at 11:00am. Graveside Services will be 1:00pm at Resthaven Cemetery located at 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Virginia’s name to St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church or that live plants be given so the family may cherish them in her memory. Such plants can be sent to Brookside Cypress-Creek Funeral Home, 9149 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX 77095. Donations can be done via Faith Direct, https://www.faithdirect.net/give-now. St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Parish Code: TX625