Virginia Ucci

After several months of declining health, Virginia Ucci (Nee Hall) died peacefully and surrounded by love on the morning of July 24th at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

Born in Syracuse New York to Samuel Watkins Hall and Theodora Alice Hall (Nee Shapley), Virginia and her family quickly relocated to Altamont. Jinny was the first of 3 generations to call Altamont her home. In her final years, Jinny loved to spend time in her bungalow in Bokeelia, Florida,

Jinny graduated from Voorheesville High School in 1954. She was a proud and active member of "The 54's," the group of her fellow graduates, working to maintain close ties and memories for her entire life. Jinny graduated with a degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta in the Spring of 1962 and returned to Altamont to teacher Kindergarten in the Fall of 1963. The whole of Jinny's career was spent teaching for the Guilderland School district, save for 1 year's leave in the late 1960s. Over the course of that year, Jinny completed a 2 year Graduate Degree from the college of Saint Rose with a 4.0 average. Her field of study was Special Education. Her Thesis was on a little known or researched condition, known as Autism. Jinny retired from teaching 5th grade at Lynnwood Elementary School in 1996, having left an indelible and enlightening mark on hundreds of students through several generations of Guilderland residents.

Jinny has left an 80 plus year legacy through her capacious love, unending generosity, and vivacious spirit. Almost everyone who knew her has had a chair she refinished and caned, a batch of her cookies, a quilt masterfully completed in the matter of days, fabric flowers or Christmas Tree ornaments. She literally stitched hundreds of beautiful cloth face masks during the Pandemic and gave them out to everyone, whether she know them or not.

Jinny was active in the Schoharie Chapter of the DAR, a Volunteer for the Altamont Community Care Givers, a member of a quilting club, and one of many community members instrumental in the revival of the Altamont Free Public Library; 2 of her caned rocking chairs can still be found and enjoyed there. Moreover, she would offer comfort, her hearth and home to anyone who was down on their luck. Her house on Grand Street was always filled with 2-5 step children, friends in need of a place to stay, and even a foster child.

Further, she devoted her life to volunteering and doing good works through Saint John's Lutheran Church, where she took her first communion, celebrated her confirmation, was married, and brought her only biological child into the flock.

Jinny is survived by her adoring granddaughter, Calley Parks, who from the moment of her birth became the jewel of Jinny's life and enter of her universe, as well as Calley's husband, Brendan DiGiovanni, both of Altamont. Additional Survivors include her nephew, William Mooney Jr. of Sayre, Pennsylvania, and his children, Stacey, Amanda, and Marissa; her nephew Joel Mooney and his wife Jeanne of Belmont, Massachusetts, and their three children, John, Sarah and Frances; her niece, Cynthia Mooney of Jacksonville, Florida, and youngest niece, Sarah Mooney of Casper, Wyoming. She also has 5 stepchildren and a great, great nephew, Logan.

Jinny is tragically predeceased by her beloved daughter and only biological child, Deborah Jean Parks (Nee Sharp), as well as her sister, Jean Mooney (Nee Hall) and her sister's husband, William Mooney, both of Casper, Wyoming. She e was also predeceased by her second Husband, John Patrick O'Neill, and her treasured Yellow Labrador companion of 14 years, Puck.

Family and Friends are invited and may visit with Jinnt's family on Saturday, August 8th from 2pm-5pm in the Fredendall Funeral Home, 199 Main Street Altamont. A joyous, celebratory memorial service will be held the next day, Sunday, August 9th at 5pm at St. John's Lutheran Evangelical Church, 140 Maple Avenue, Altamont. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Donations in Virginia H. Ucci's memory may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Altamont Free Public Library, and The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, INC.

The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Inc.