Virginia Louise Brock

Virginia Louise Brock, 98 years young, passed away on November 24, 2024. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband William F. Brock, sons Jerry, Gary, and granddaughter Amber.  She is survived by daughter Susan (David) Pfeiffer, granddaughters Leslie, Allison, and grandson Jason, and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was the tenth child of a large, close knit Italian Catholic family in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania born in 1926. Her father, Michael Decello and mother, Felicia Cimino Decello emigrated from Calabria Italy at the turn of the century. Her Father had a bakery in Pittsburgh, but lost it during the great depression. He then moved with his wife and the first few children to work in the coal mines in “Punxsy” where Virginia was born.   She went to St Cosmos and Damian Catholic School, had many friends and was a cheerleader. She would walk a hilly mile back and forth to school each day and sometimes walk back and forth for lunch.  Her sister Josephine was the oldest of the 10 and was also like a mother to her, but a Saint, to the rest of her family. Josephine had unwavering faith and spread her devotion to the rest of the siblings to follow after her.  After WW2, her brothers moved to Michigan and gradually the sisters and entire family followed. Many worked at Ford Motor Company. Virginia found her first job at Michigan Central Railroad in Detroit where she worked for 10 years as a key board/typist. It was said it was the first computer type machine of its time.  She met many new friends, and had a complete fan girl devotion to Frank Sinatra. One time when he was in town her friends spent the day watching his 5 scheduled performances by just staying in their seats the entire day and packed a lunch. She loved to dance at the Greystone Ballroom and take the streetcar home. She called this time her “Swingle” days with her friends, Nellie, Mary, Violet and many others.   She met her husband William (Bill) Brock who worked as a Fire Fighter for the Detroit Fire Dept. Prior to his service to the fire department, he also served in the Navy during WW2.  They settled in North West Detroit, and raised their children, Susan, Jerry and Gary, while Virginia spent her time raising the children in a nice family neighborhood with another great set of friends, many like relatives.  Her youngest son, Gary had Muscular Dystrophy and she was involved with the MDA organization and their many outreaches.   His disability was difficult for the entire family, but only made them closer.   Most Sundays were spent with her own mother and father along with her siblings and their extended families. In their tiny house everyone was packed in full of fun and it was never short of great Italian food and pastries.   Virginia was strong minded and had a great sense humor. loved a good joke even if was a little edgy and always had a smile.   She Most of all, maintained her strong faith and had plenty of favorite Saints, but special devotion to St. Jude and the Rosary.  During her advancing years, she lived with her daughter Susan and Son in Law David, and enjoyed many days with security surrounded by family. As the years past, and even at 98, she would still say a joke or two and laugh at it just like it was the first time it was told.  Virginia was from a strong hearty “great generation” of people that lived well on little. Now she is in Heaven and being warmly greeted by her family and friends who knew and loved her here, but greatly missed by those she left behind.

A visitation will be held at the R.G. & G.R Harris Funeral Home at 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia, Friday November 29th, 2024 from 1:00 - 8:00 pm.  A funeral Mass will be held Saturday November 30th at St. Mary, Cause of Our Joy Catholic Church, 8200 N. Wayne Rd., Westland at 10:00 am with visitation at 9:30 am.

Please share a memory of Virginia by signing her Guestbook.