Virginia (Gonzalez) Doolittle

Virginia Annette Doolittle, 93, peacefully joined her loved ones in eternal rest and joy on Friday, January 13. Born on May 15, 1929 to Clara and Andrew Mrozienski, she was a lifetime resident of her beloved hometown, Solvay. A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime communicant of St. Cecilia’s Church. 

Virginia worked for several years for Syracuse China, rising to the position of supervisor of the design unit, which she greatly enjoyed. It was during this time that she met, fell in love, and married John Gonzalez. Her life would take a turn in 1957 when she became a widow with three young children. In true Virginia fashion, she worked tirelessly to provide her boys with a sound, loving life. Virginia then met and married her second husband, Jack Doolittle. The two shared many years together filled with boating, fishing, golfing, antique shopping, and making happy memories with their family and many friends. 

In her later years, Virginia enjoyed going to casinos with her dear friends Poni Probst and Ray Harrington. It was during this time, she met and spent several wonderful years with a very special companion, Alvin Tarolli, until his passing in 2019. 

Through the years, Virginia also worked as a human resource manager at Stanton Foundry, became a foster parent for children in need, and volunteered for various organizations in the community. She could often be found in her kitchen preparing something delicious to eat and share.  Virginia loved her Polish heritage, and no holiday was complete without her pierogies.  She had a passion for life, loved deeply and unconditionally, and always believed the best was yet to come. She was her family’s beacon of light with her deep love of family and eternal optimism and forgiveness. Her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Virginia is predeceased by her two husbands, John in 1957 and Jack in 1996; sisters, Gloria Powers, Rose Fiumano, and Patty Hancock; and brother, Andrew Mrozienski. 

She is survived by her sons, John (Shari) Gonzalez, Mark (Dawn) Gonzalez, Chris (Kristine) Gonzalez, and Jack Doolittle; grandchildren, Jon (Cathryn) Gonzalez, Michael Gonzalez, Alexa Gonzalez, Cara (Terry) Moran, Rachel (Kyle) Boelsen, Marek Gonzalez, Perry Gonzalez, Andrew Doolittle, James Doolittle, Danielle (David) McGill and Leah Doolittle; great-grandchildren, Theodore, Carmen, Greyson, Syren, Emilia, Madeline and Raphael; sister, Marge Adsitt; sister-in-law, Josie Mrozienski; and many nieces and nephews. 

Relatives and friends may call Monday, January 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Marianne Cope Parish at St. Cecilia Church, 1001 Woods Rd., Syracuse. The mass will be live-streamed by the church at www.stmariannecope.org/

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Aurora of CNY, 1065 James St., Syracuse, NY 13203 or St. Marianne Cope Parish Food Pantry, 105 Stanton Ave., Solvay, NY 13209.  

“Mom, Ma, Virg, Grandma, Gigi, Nonni… we will miss you but your legacy lives on in us all!”