Virginia D. Van Sciver, dedicated volunteer

Virginia Dare Van Sciver, 88, of Harbeson passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. Virginia was born in Rising Sun, Md., in 1932, daughter of the late Donald C. and Constance “Connie” Jones Graybeal, wife of the late Donald Van Sciver to whom she was married for 60 years, and mother of the late Jean Marie Van Sciver. 

Virginia graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1949 and attended Salisbury State Teachers College. She met Don in 1951, then a seaman at Bainbridge Naval Base, and they married that year. She joined Don when he was transferred to the Key West Naval Base. After Don’s service the couple moved back to Salisbury, Md., then Pittsburgh, Pa., Richmond, Va., and Bayonne, N.J., as Don pursued his education and career. Virginia bore a child in each of those four cities, caring for her husband and young family. In Bayonne she was able to return to education, becoming a beloved private grammar school teacher.

In 1969 the family relocated to Wilmington. Virginia left teaching and turned to volunteer work and her own education. She was active in the Richardson Park Community Action Program and earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Delaware in 1984. With the children grown, she and Don moved to Harbeson in 1987. There Virginia volunteered for the foster care review board, was a champion fundraiser for the Sussex Family YMCA children’s programs, and was an active member of the local Columbiettes chapter.  Her decades of volunteer work were recognized by the awarding of the Jefferson Award for Public Service. She lived alone for most of her last decade, losing Don in 2010, but was never lonely, thanks to the support and friendship of her neighbors.

Virginia leaves behind her son James Van Sciver and his wife Jodie Osgood; her daughter Constance Hill and her husband Peter; and her son Daniel Van Sciver and his wife Bridget. She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Nicholas and Erica Van Sciver, Stefan, Cerise and Christa Hill, and Brittany Van Sciver.

A service is postponed until it is safe for all to gather. Should you wish, donations may be sent to the Sussex Family YMCA Annual Campaign, Children's Program, 20080 Church St., Rehoboth, DE 19971, 302-296-9622.

Arrangements handled by Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, Newark.