Obituary of Virginia Frances Ruchala

Virginia Paris was born on November 28, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. She was the only daughter of three children born from the union of Thomas and Stella (Gorka) Paris.   Virginia attended Chadsey High School in Detroit.   On August 2, 1953 she married Alexander L. Ruchala. Together the couple was blessed with three children of their own.

Virginia was very family oriented with her husband and children being the center of her world.   For more than fifteen years she was employed as an Assistant Manager at Shifrin-Willens Jewelers.   She also served as a Union Representative retiring in 1983.  

A brave soul, she learned to water ski on Belleville Lake with a rope and single ski found inside a newly purchased boat. Virginia and her husband had such a love for the water they made their home in the Morin Point area of Erie, Michigan and eventually purchased a home on South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay, Ohio in 1993.   The pair loved to travel throughout the United States and enjoyed cruising to their favorite tropical destination, Jamaica.

Virginia was proud of her Polish heritage and enjoyed cooking the same dishes her mother had made. Her family especially looked forward to her Chruściki, or “Angel Wings” pastries. She was blessed with a “green thumb” keeping her yard lush with flowers.  A talented crafter, Virginia knitted and crocheted gifts for her family. She enjoyed playing cards, Sudoku puzzles, and trying her luck on the penny slots at the casino. She frequently tuned into the Hallmark Channel. As an avid reader, Virginia welcomed recommendations, devoured whatever she could get her hands on, and often visited the library.

Virginia Ruchala, age 87, of Morin Point passed away peacefully at home on Saturday; September 10, 2022.   Her passing was preceded by her parents; her beloved husband of sixty years: Alexander L. Ruchala in 2013; and a brother: Thomas Paris.  

To cherish her memory, she leaves her three children: Linda Ruchala (Ed Long) of Bloomington, Indiana, Alexander D. (Maisie) Ruchala of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, and Sandra (Jim) Keffer of Dundee, Michigan; nine grandchildren: Jessica (Jon) Clark, Celeste Case-Ruchala, Rachel Long, Devin Case-Ruchala, Joy (Shawn) O’Leary, Nicole (Jeffrey) Campbell, Alexander J. (Majen) Ruchala, Dean (Jenny) Keffer, and Kyle Keffer (Elise Borbely); eleven great grandchildren; two great- great grandchildren; and a brother: Walter (Lena) Paris.

Friends may gather on Sunday; September 18, 2022 from 12:00pm until 2:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Erie; 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133 (734) 317-7199.   A Celebration of Virginia’s Life will be held at 2:00pm also at Merkle’s.   Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.   Inurnment will take place on Monday, September 19, 2022 at Maple Leaf Cemetery on Put-in-Bay Island, Ohio at 1:00 p.m.

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