Virginia Elizabeth Varga Peterson

Virginia Elizabeth Varga Peterson, of Ocean Springs, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 16th, 2017. She was 84 years old. She is predeceased by her parents, James and Anna Varga of Highland Park, NJ. She grew up and graduated from high school in Highland Park, NJ. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the Bouvé-Boston School in Medford, MA in 1955. While there, she met her husband John, to whom she was married for 61 years. She embraced the challenges of military life, spending 24 adventurous years as a Navy wife. Captain John W. Peterson USN (Ret.) survives her. After residing for many years in Tidewater, VA, Virginia was very happy to spend the last decade of her life as an Ocean Springs resident. She was a stalwart parishioner of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. With selfless love, she joyfully raised four accomplished children. She taught them strength in faith and the importance of being close with each other regardless of distance or circumstance. Virginia dearly loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her older son, John and his wife, Wendy, reside in Jacksonville, FL. Granddaughters, Kristin Anton, and her husband, Daniel, reside in Arvada, CO; Carrie Truschke and her husband, Stefano, and two of Virginia’s great-grandchildren reside in Wheat Ridge, CO. Also surviving is her older daughter, Deb Hamilton and her husband, Norman, who reside in Mauldin, SC and her grandson, Will, who resides in Columbus, OH. Virginia’s younger son, David, and his wife Kathy, are residents of Ocean Springs. Her grandson, Jeff Prestridge, and his wife, Sarah, reside in Hurley with two of Virginia’s great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Heather Prestridge, resides in Pascagoula. Her younger daughter, Anne Kasbohm, and her husband, John, reside in Lakeview, OR. Grandchildren, Jade and Jonquil Kasbohm, attend Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. Virginia’s family extends heartfelt appreciation to their close aides Sharron Rankins, Angela Lett, Aleshia Griffin and Renee` Mitchell, who provided loving care and complete dedication to her. The family also offers special thanks to Kath Norton, RN for her highly competent and compassionate support to Virginia and her family. With their care, Virginia spent her last years in comfort and laughter. In memory of Virginia’s generous spirit and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice. Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m., all at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Ocean Springs. A modest gathering will take place in the Parish Hall following the Mass. Interment at Biloxi National Cemetery will take place at a later date.