On Sunday, December 13, 2020, a bright light in Bristol Borough was dimmed when Virginia [Cocci] DiMaggio, loving wife of the late, Rosario “Russell” John DiMaggio and the devoted mother of two daughters, Virginia Joy DiMaggio, and Linda Joy Kuzma [Edward], passed away at the age of 96.

Virginia was born on September 14, 1924 to Pierino “Peter” and Domenica [Nepa] Cocci who both emigrated from Italy, the 4th of their five children born and raised in the Borough in their home above her father’s “Peter Cocci Custom Tailoring Shop” on Cherry Street. Her siblings were Armando “Monnie”, John Thomas, Anna, and Vincenzo “Vincent”.

Virginia was a 1942 graduate of Bristol High School and she creatively always helped in her family store. She helped fashion classy bespoke suits for some famous customers: Albert Einstein wasn’t always as spiffy a dresser, and the Emperor of Japan danced on his handmade cloak!

She also had a passion for creating extraordinary artwork with oil paints and elaborately gilded gold leafing, and she created superb handiwork with watercolors on paper, one-of-a-kind hand-painted greeting cards, and refurbished vintage furniture. Her creativity and multi-talent works were much admired not only by friends and family, but truly by all. 

Virginia could do anything! She had no fear.

She even went back to school to learn to read blueprints and did riveting work at Kaisers during the war. According to her BHS yearbook, “A dark eyed senior of 12C1, never worries ‘til day is done.”

Virginia  also played the piano for years, since the age of 5, and she loved classical music. She performed at the dance recitals for the Sara C. Granzow Academy in the Grand Theatre building on Mill Street.

In addition, she was well known for her quick wit, her endearing, infectious smile, and her kind and compassionate spirit as she shined in her community endeavors as a Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation member and a BHS reunion coordinator.

Virginia is reunited with her adored husband and favorite dance and political debate partner and travel mate, Russ DiMaggio, whom she met at a dance hall in Langhorne, “the luckiest night of my life!” She loved to dance. Dancing was her thing. She listed her hobby as “Rug cutting” in her 1942 yearbook. She and Russ traveled to Italy to research her family and her maternal grandparents, Biagio and Philomina [Cappelletti] Nepa. 

Virginia is also predeceased by her four siblings.

She greatly loved her grandchildren. Her inimitable spirit, individuality and inspiration will be carried on by her beloved grandchildren: Valerie Stiltner (John), Anna Kuzma-DeFabrizio (Paul), Erika Bennett (Gary), Edward Kuzma III, eight great grandchildren: Bryce, Dominick Rosario, Layla, John Carlo, Julian, Cali, Demi, Brody, Grandson- in- law William Meyers, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. The family will be forever grateful for the love and care given to Virginia by her caregiver Sonia, Bayada Home Care and the angels of Crossroads Hospice. 

Virginia DiMaggio was given the gift of life, and now she has given it back. She was always happy to have been here.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 31, 2021, 11:00am at St Mark Church. Friends may call 10-11:00am at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Mark School, 1024 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007.  Arrangements are under the direction of Wade Funeral Home, Bristol Borough.