Virginia L. Brizzi 1937-2022

Ginny was born Dec. 1, 1937, in Campbell to Vincenzo “James” and Rosina Chatan Brizzi. She was the youngest of 10 children.

She was a 1955 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and went to Ohio University on several well-deserved scholarships.

Ginny’s career led her to work in advertising at multiple local television and radio stations in Youngstown.

She was also very active in the Youngstown Playhouse before moving on to work in Indiana, Minnesota and eventually Wilmington, N.C.

After retiring from advertising, Ginny and her husband, Rick Olson, went to a second career as medical transcriptionists, working from their home.

She was a true animal lover and was always ready to feed, love and adopt any furs who appeared at her door. Proudly, Ginny was a 24-year breast cancer survivor. She had a wonderful group of friends in Wilmington known as the Fabulous Femmes. She, along with Crystal, Ginny, Pauline, Queen Ann, Sharon and Tammy, were always there for each other. Through the laughter, tears, good times and the bad, they were all about friendship.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rick Olson, who passed away Jan. 10, 2022; sisters, Rose (Myron) Cronin, Carmel (Alex) Mingo, Catherine “Kay” (John) Uhron and Elizabeth “Betty” (Tom) Scanlon; brothers, Frank (Josephine), Joseph (Dorothy), Samuel and infant brothers, Frederick and Sam; nephew, James Brizzi; nieces, Joyce Tisone, Pamela Brizzi, Michelle Cronin and Monica Black.

Aunt Ginny, the very last of our aunts, leaves us to cherish her memory, many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, friends and her beautiful cat, Buddy, who has been adopted by her dear friend, Crystal.

If you were fortunate enough to know Ginny, you fell in love with a kind, sweet soul who always reached out a hand to help.

As we move forward without her in our lives, let’s live as she did, a heart filled with love, peace and kindness. We will miss her forever, but were so blessed to have had her in our lives.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Crystal and her husband, Bill, who was at Aunt Ginny’s side and made her last days happy and comfortable and her friend and neighbor, Matt. Our love to you. We would also like to thank the medical staff, who always kept us informed. We thank you.

A celebration of life will be held in September in Wilmington, N.C., where her ashes will be spread at Fort Fisher, per her request.

Arrangements were handled by Andrews Mortuary, Market Street, Wilmington. N.C.

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