Virginia "Ginny" (Baughman) Bonarrigo

Virginia “Ginny” (Baughman) Bonarrigo

Dedicated to Her Family and Church -

Virginia “Ginny” (Baughman) Bonarrigo, age 93, of Mechanicsburg, passed away at Church of God Home with her family by her side on Monday, May 16, 2016.  Ginny was born on Wednesday, March 21, 1923, in Brookville, PA to the late Leonard E. Baughman and Anna E. (Chesnutt) Baughman.  Ginny was the widow of Anthony R. Bonarrigo, whom she married on November 25, 1943, and who died on December 24, 1978.  In addition to her parents and husband, Ginny is preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie Baughman; and her three sons-in-law:  Samuel D. Colechio III, Ralph L. Ramos, and Steven J. Shaputis.

Ginny’s survivors include her four children: JoAnn Colechio of Linden, PA, Lenore “Lee” Knisely and her husband, Harold, of Mechanicsburg, Barbara Shaputis of Shermans Dale, PA, Paul A. Bonarrigo and his wife, Paula, of Richmond, ME; her seven grandchildren; her eight great-grandchildren; her five sisters-in-law: Rose Strickland, Margaret Delpra, Helen Bonarrigo, Nancy Bonarrigo, Jerry Bonarrigo; her two brothers-in-law, Joseph H. Bonarrigo, Bob Fairley; and several nieces and nephews.

Ginny graduated from Sigel High School as part of the class of 1940 and from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She was a substitute teacher for Cumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg schools.  Ginny was a member of Camp Hill United Methodist Church for close to 60 years, where she volunteered weekly with Sheltering Hands, Shepherds, Fidelity Sunday School class, Esther Circle, and Friends in Faith.  In addition to volunteering as a docent at the Pennsylvania State Museum, Ginny belonged to the Sierra Club, Camp Hill Civic Club, Pennsylvania Order of the Eastern Star, Professional Engineers Wives, Alliance for Chesapeake Bay, and Cumberland Valley Band Boosters.  She was also a troop leader and mother for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  Ginny enjoyed quilting, knitting, and crocheting; she used her talents to make hats for newborns in Pinnacle Health Hospitals. Ginny loved camping and found that she was more comfortable in a tent than in most hotel rooms.  To make Christmas less sad after her husband passed away on Christmas Eve; Ginny began collecting Santa Claus figures in any form, accumulating quite a collection.  Growing up in the depression and living with people who extended beyond her immediate family helped Ginny see the good in everyone.  She never had a negative thing to say about anyone, and Ginny will be remembered by all that knew her as a very giving woman.

All are welcome to join Ginny’s family at her viewing on Saturday, May 21, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 1:00 p.m. at Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22 ^nd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; with Reverend Sharon K. Miller and Pastor Jon Uhlinger officiating.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  Honored to be pallbearers are: Paul Bonarrigo, Samuel D. Colechio IV, Anthony M. Colechio, Harold Knisely, Micaha Knisely, Hudson Shaputis, and Joseph H. Bonarrigo.  Ginny’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of Ginny’s life can be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1093, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; or to Church of God Home, 801 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013; or to Camp Hill United Methodist Church, 417 South 22 ^nd Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011, www.CampHillUMC.org .

Ginny’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Ginny’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .