Virginia Lee Tromp Vitanza
Virginia “Ginny” Lee Tromp Vitanza, age 87, of Mentor, Ohio, peacefully passed away at Hillcrest Hospital.
Born on March 11, 1938, to James Lee and Vernatine (nee Sauders) Ransford in Wyandotte, Mich., Ginny lived a life full of warmth, laughter and unwavering love for her family.
She married Ralph Tromp Sr. in 1958. Ginny later married Pasquale “Pat” Vitanza in 1988, beginning a beautiful chapter filled with devotion and companionship.
She dedicated many years of her career as a Packaging Creator for PCA, where her creativity and strong work ethic were evident to all who knew her.
Her greatest joy was her home and family. Ginny loved cooking and hosting gatherings where no one ever left hungry and everyone felt welcome. She took pride in keeping a beautiful home and had a special talent for décor.
She loved to read and was a wonderful storyteller, often captivating everyone with her memories and humor. She took pride in how she dressed and had a style all her own. She enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, family games and bocce. She famously hated the phone, preferring face-to-face conversations around the kitchen table.
Ginny shared countless laughs and cherished memories with her best friends, Clair and Gerry, and found constant companionship in her beloved fur baby, “Yankee.”
Adventurous and spirited, she even went skydiving on her 70th birthday, a true reflection of her bold and fearless nature.
Ginny leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion. She is survived by her loving husband, Pasquale “Pat” Vitanza, of Mentor; her son, Ralph (Lucy) Tromp, of Chardon Township, Ohio; her daughters Mary (Scott) Bereslon, of Tennessee, and Gerri Conlon, of California; her grandchildren, Tanya Tromp, Hannah Red Hill, Rebecca (Chaitanya) Hiremath, Samantha (Bryant Harrold) Conlon, Shane Conlon and Ashton (Olivia) Leigh; and her great-grandchildren, Navya and Lincoln.
She is also survived by her stepchildren, Joe (Janet) Vitanza and Natalie (Randy) Minadeo; her step-grandchildren, Amanda (Dante) Rini, Brittany Cieslik and Lexi Vitanza; and her step-great-grandchildren, Giovanni and Nico.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Jill Mierau; and her sister, Vivian Joyce.
Family and friends are invited for a gathering on Feb. 26, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, Ohio.
Ginny will be remembered for her generous heart, her adventurous spirit, her welcoming home and the love she poured into her family and friends.
Arrangements are entrusted to The Original Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.
