Eugenia Sidonia Vining

Eugenia S. Vining, age 87, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2020 in Alpharetta, Georgia. Born in Danville, Pennsylvania, Eugenia (Jean) grew up initially in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and subsequently in East Orange, New Jersey. She frequently referred to herself as a “coal miner’s daughter”, a tribute to her father and her humble roots. She graduated from St. Mary’s Villa Academy in 1950 in Sloatsburg, New York, where with the supportive instruction of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, she excelled at academics and developed her naturally beautiful singing voice. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1954 at St. Michael’s Nursing School in Newark and began her nursing career at St. Michael’s Hospital, where she met and married her husband, the late Dr. John F. Vining. Their wedding mass was held at St. Venantius Church, in East Orange. As a couple, they devoted themselves to creating a beautiful faith-filled home, instilling in their children the power of faith and the importance of caring for others. As a mother, Jean nurtured the unique gifts she saw in each of her children, embracing their individual interests and hobbies as her own. After a 29-year hiatus, she returned to college and graduated in 1983 with a BS degree, cum laude, from Caldwell College. Thereafter, Jean became a highly regarded instructor for Nurse’s Aides at Sussex County Community College and worked as a nurse at both the Child Development and the Inglemoor Rehabilitation and Care Centers in New Jersey. Throughout her life, she faced and overcame any challenge, aided by her deep and abiding faith, her seemingly limitless capacity for listening, her keen understanding of people, and her trademark sense of humor. She was a beacon of kindness, warmth, and hope beloved by all who knew her, and she will be forever remembered for the unconditional love she so generously and selflessly bestowed upon those so blessed to have known her.

Jean and John were married for over 50 years and were blessed with 7 children, 19 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughters Anne M. (Robert) Holdsworth, Cecilia (John) Duffy, Eugenia M. Vining, MD (Dr. Robert Malison), Mary F. (Dr. Robert) Rycyna; sons John J., Thomas M. (Kris), and Patrick (Claudia). She is predeceased by her parents Frank and Sidonia Cecilia; and siblings Frank, and Gloria. Among her family are a daughter and two granddaughters, who carry on her legacy of compassionate healthcare.

The Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at a future date later this summer at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. Interment will follow at a later date at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Grasmere, New York.

Jean’s children would like to express their deepest gratitude to the many dedicated nurses and health care professionals at Sunrise at Ivey Ridge facility and at Agape Hospice who provided such loving and compassionate care for Jean over the years.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made in her memory to one of the following organizations: Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, 9 Emmanuel Drive, P.O. Box 9, Sloatsburg, NY 10974-0009. Priests For Life https://www.priestsforlife.org/donate/Index.aspx; or EWTN https://sd.ewtn.com/love-and-understanding-of-god/

The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 26 at 11:00AM, preceded by the praying of the Rosary at 10:30AM at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. Reception to follow at a location to be announced.