Virginia Bianchi Consolini, 92, of Sheffield and Nokomis, Florida, died Wednesday, April 19, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in New Marlborough on Dec. 30, 1924, the daughter of Tony and Delphine (Emprimo) Bianchi. Virginia graduated from the New Marlborough Central School where she loved sports and was a great basketball player. She was a rural mail carrier for Mill River and her hometown of Southfield. She then graduated from LaBaron Hairdressing Academies Inc. on March 23, 1964. She was a hairdresser at her own business, Virginia’s Beauty Shop, which she opened in 1965, until her retirement in 1990. Virginia was a member of the Willing Workers and the Altar Guild of Immaculate Conception Church in Mill River. She loved playing cards, bingo, flowers, gardens, walking on the beach collecting shells and sharks’ teeth, and making her famous cookies and fudge for the family.
Virginia’s husband, Antonio Consolini, whom she married on August 10, 1939, predeceased her on April 21, 2006. Virginia is survived by one son, Anthony “Butch” Consolini, and his wife, Marjorie, of Sheffield; daughter-in-law Diane Consolini of Falls Village, Connecticut; two sisters: Bertha Riva of Canaan, Connecticut, and Londa Bourquard and husband, Leon, of Lenox and Nokomis; five grandchildren: Kelly Wilkinson and husband, Scott; Mark Consolini and wife, Lacy; David Consolini and wife, Melissa; Todd Consolini and wife, Anji; Tracey Wilson and husband, Thom; 12 great-grandchildren: Roy Wilkinson, Renee Wilkinson, Rachel Wilkinson, Michael Consolini, Anthony Consolini, Andrew Consolini, Catherine Consolini, Elisabeth Consolini, Vanessa Housberg, Emily Peterson, Abigail Wilson and Benjamin Wilson; one step-great-grandson, Nicholas Florentin; and six great-great-grandchildren: Jayla and Giavanna Consolini, Hayze Hart, Hazel Wilkinson, Sadie Castellini and Piper Peterson. In addition to her husband, Virginia was predeceased by son, Richard Consolini, and sister, Marion Consolini.
Funeral services for Virginia Bianchi Consolini will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 10 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield, with the Rev. Bruce Teague, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Memorial Cemetery in Southfield. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Virginia’s memory may be made to either Our Lady of the Valley Building Fund of S.B.V.A.S. in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
