Virginia M. Balsamo

The Celebration of Life for Virginia M. Balsamo (nee Cira), 81, of Lake Barrington, will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 149 W. Main St. (Lake-Cook Rd), Barrington. The family will be receiving friends starting at 1 pm with a service at 5:30 pm.

Born August 25, 1937 in Chicago, she passed away peacefully October 10, 2018, in Barrington.

Virginia was devoted to her family and was a homemaker with extraordinary technical sewing skills.  She was an excellent cook and, if you came through her door, she was sure to feed you well.  She was also impassioned with the task of protecting small lakes and ponds.  She was called ‘One of Barrington’s great conservationists on the grass root level’ and was recognized on a state and regional level for her efforts.  She graduated in 1955 from Glenbard West High School and then attended fashion design millinery school at Master College in Chicago.

Survivors include her children, Janet, Thomas and Jeanne Balsamo; grandchildren, Nickolas, Wade, Michael Balsamo, Kellina (Joe) Rizzo and Andrew Wingate; great grandchildren, Penelope, Lukas and Shelby Rizzo; sister, Rose Cira; and brother Charles (Sue) Cira.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph N. Balsamo, whom she married June 14, 1958; and her parents, Charles and Dora (nee Felicicchia) Cira.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Citizens for Conservation.