Sister Virginia Concepta, formerly Sister Virginia Concepta, died in Camilla Hall on December 19, 2023 just shy of her 87th birthday in the 69th year of her religious life.
“Ginny” was born on December 23, 1936, Sister’s parents Louis J. and Kathryn (King) Varallo raised Virginia and her brother John in St. Charles Parish in Oakview, Delaware County. Virginia attended St. Charles Parish School (1942–1946) and Corpus Christi Elementary in Philadelphia (1946–1950). Sister attended Hallahan High School (1950-1954). Not long after graduating from Hallahan, Ginny entered the Community on September 8, 1954.
Virginia received her religious name, Sister Virginia Concepta, and her holy habit on March 8, 1955; she pronounced her First Vows on March 10, 1957. Sister Virginia began her ministry of service immediately after professing her First Vows.
Sister’s first year ‘on the mission’ encompassed three different types of service. In March 1957, Sister ministered as a staff member at the Catholic Home Shelter; this was followed by a two-month teaching assignment (second graders) at Sacred Heart School in Lancaster, and from May through the end of the school year, Sister resided at Holy Name Convent/School and taught sixth grade children. At an early age in Community living, Sister proved herself to be a very versatile IHM and she remained so during her religious life.
From the fall of 1957 through December 2019, Sister Virginia taught seventh and eighth grade students (primarily) in a variety of places and served in different capacities within and beyond the Diocese of Philadelphia. Sister taught children at Our Lady of Fatima Secane, St. Thomas Philadelphia, St. Barnabas Philadelphia, St. Cyril E. Lansdowne, St. Joseph Coatesville, Our Lady of Fatima Bensalem, Villa Maria Santiago Chile, San Mateo Osorno Chile, St. Laurence Upper Darby, St. Joseph Collingdale, and St. Jerome Tamaqua.
From the fall of 1980 through 2002, Sister Virginia served as an administrator in the following assignments. Sister was the Principal of St. Mark School and Superior of St. Mark Convent; Superior and Principal of St. Anne Rock Hill in South Carolina; Superior and Vice Principal at St. Veronica Philadelphia; Vice Principal at St. Martin of Tours Philadelphia, and Vice Principal of St. Joseph School in Collingdale. During this time, a need arose, and Sister Virginia accepted the task of serving as an Office Assistant in the Offices of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia during the 1989-1990 academic year.
In August 2002, the Community asked Sister to ‘switch gears’ from teaching and/or supervising to assisting children and staff members directly, Sister readily agreed. Sister served as a General Office Assistant at St. Pius X School in Broomall. In 2005 through the school year ending 2015, Sister Virginia served the children as a Tutor and School Assistant. In 2015 through December 2019 served the children as a Tutor at St. Pius X School in Broomall.
In January 2019, Sister’s health declined somewhat. Sister then joined our Community at Camilla Hall where she was a faithful member of the Apostolate of Prayer Team. Sister Virginia had a tremendous sense of humor and adventure, evident by those know her. She served well, she prayed well, and she lived well – all for the Glory of God. Rest in peace, dear Sister.
In addition to her IHM Community, her local Community at Camilla Hall, Sister Virginia is survived by her nieces, nephews, and grandnieces. Sister is predeceased by her parents Louis John and Kathryn (King) Varallo, her brother, Louis John Varallo, Jr. (Irene Rose).
Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM celebrated Sister Virginia’s Funeral Mass on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355