Obituary: Vira M. Stavely

The following obituary was submitted to Gloucester Township Patch by Earle Funeral Home:

Vira M. Stavely passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Chews Landing, the home she and her late husband built, in which she lived for the past 63 years. Vira was born August 19, 1921, to her late parents Edward B. Maher and Mary Biddle Maher. Vira is the mother of two daughters, Janet Ganther (Rudolph) of Pine Hill, NJ, and Jo Ann Egan (Timothy) of West Deptford, NJ. Loving grandmother of Gabrielle Ganther, Colleen Moran (Christopher), Rudolph Ganther, Kelly Egan, Alanna Musumeci (Matt), Patrick Egan (Bridget). Vira’s biggest smiles were for her great-grandchildren Joslyn Moran, Arabella Musumeci, Egan Moran, and Lilyanna Musumeci. Vira is also survived by her devoted sister, Loretta Stayton, niece Patricia Price, and many nieces and nephews.   

Vira spent most of her working years as a waitress, and met Fred M. Stavely, her late husband of 64 years, while working as a waitress in Camden. She spent many years working at the coffee shop in JC Penney at the Echelon Mall, and later at My Favorite Muffin, also at Echelon.

Vira and Fred spent many years traveling the country in their Airstream trailer. “My name is Vira, not Vera,” she would often say, but many of her friends called her Vi. Vira made many friends and was always ready to lend a helping hand in the NJ Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, The Ladies Auxiliary of the Stetser-Lamartine American Legion Post No. 281, and The Altar and Rosary Society of St. Agnes Church. In January 2009, Vira was honored for her 50 years of service to the Ladies of the Chews Landing Volunteer Fire Co.

Friends and family are welcome to celebrate 91 years of life on Thursday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Friday, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., at Earle Funeral Home, 122 W. Church St., Blackwood, NJ. Her funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Our Lady of Hope Parish/St. Agnes Church, 701 Little Gloucester Rd., Blackwood, NJ. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New Jersey Girls State Program, c/o Stetser-Lamartine  American Legion Post No. 281 Ladies Auxiliary, 2101 Chews Landing Rd., Blackwood, NJ.  Condolences may be viewed/posted at the Earle Funeral Home website.