Virginia C. Allen

Virginia Allen, 96, of Avon NY, passed peacefully away on January 27, 2022 surrounded by family after a battle with Covid.

Virginia was born on May 24, 1925 to Italian immigrant parents Felice' Tortora and Concetta Lachiusa in Rochester, NY. After graduating from East High School, she landed her first job in the optics department for Kodak.

Virginia met Fred Allen and they wed in 1945 going on to have seven children. Virginia was predeceased by children: Sandra Allen, and Lawrence Allen; husband Fred Allen; sons-in-law, James Kunkel, Jon Porter; and grandchildren, Sheryl Lynn Allen and David Clukey. She is survived by her children Judy Porter, Gregory Allen, Mark (Lesley) Allen, Barbara Allen-Clukey and Jeanmarie Kunkel.

When Virginia had her first born, Lawrence, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. Virginia excelled at supporting her children through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. Family was the number one priority in her life. As the children grew older, Virginia found a new passion when she wasn't filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found working in the electronics industry. Virginia worked at Transmation as a circuit board assembler and later she moved on to Kodak as an electronic technician. She loved working, earning her own pay and her new found independence. Virginia was also a talented seamstress like her mother, was an avid Monday night bowler with the girls, and in her later years could often be found singing in the Greece Senior Community Center choir. Her children lovingly remember the smell of her Sunday morning sauce simmering prior to noon Mass.

Anyone who knows Virgina, knows of her vivacious laugh and her ability to make people smile. She was very proud. of her Italian heritage speaking the language with her 3 brothers and 4 sisters whenever she did not want her children to hear her conversation: Angelina (Anthony) Randazzo, Gaetana (Mack) Liotta, Dominick (Josephine) Tortora, Maria (Paul) Cuminale, Frank/Chic (Frances) Tortora, and Gino (Francis) Tortora. Virginia was the youngest of the Tortora clan. With Virginia's passing, she was the last of the generation of the Tortora's that endured the Depression and fought in WWII; The Greatest Generation That Ever Lived. We will miss her dearly.

Virginia is also survived by her 16 grandchildren: Lawrence (Naomi) Allen Jr, Adam Porter, Aaron Porter and Jonmichael Porter, Melissa (Benji Baskin) Allen, Amanda (Stephen) Campe, Phillip (Katie) Allen, Lindsey (Steve Marciano) Allen, Thomas (Shalom) Allen, Michael (MaryBeth) Paulick, Matthew Paulick, Andrew Kunkel and Alexander (Amanda) Kunkel. Virginia will be greatly missed by her 12 great-grandchildren: Kennedy, Ramsey, Peyton, Cameron, Grayson, Lennon, Nathan, Aubrey, Riley, Emma, Sophia, and Chase. She is also survived by countless nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center for their caring and devotion to Virginia in her final days and hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia's memory may be made to the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center.

Family & friends may call at Thomas Funeral Chapels, Thursday February 3rd from 3-7pm. Funeral Mass Friday February 4th 10:30am St. John the Evangelist Church, 2400 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14626. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cem.
Visitation
Thu, Feb 3, 2022 at 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thomas Funeral Chapels
4545 Lake Ave
Rochester, NY 14612
Masks required per current mandatesFuneral Mass
Fri, Feb 4, 2022 at 10:30 am
St. John the Evangelist Church
2400 West Ridge Road
Rochester, NY 14626