Virginia Ann (Grapa) Kucan

Virginia Ann (Grapa) Kucan passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022. Born April 5, 1925, Mom, was the daughter of Paul and Efrosina (Gorun) of Weirton, WV, who emigrated from Romania. Mom spent a year in Romania when she was 5 years old and attended kindergarten. We still have the sewing cards and embroidery that she made while she was there. Mom cherished her parents’ heritage by learning to make traditional Romanian dishes, especially clatite, and by visiting Romania with her mother, sister, and cousin in 1984 to make contact with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. As a young woman, she was a member of a Romanian dance group. Mom worked as a secretary/administrative assistant for managers in the General Office of Weirton Steel. She was a stenographer and part of her work was to use shorthand while her supervisors dictated letters and memoranda. In the 1940s, once a woman was engaged, she had to resign her position, and that’s what Mom did. She married our father George Kucan (deceased) on January 24, 1948. Before the wedding, she bought a dramatic fur coat that she wore on their New York honeymoon. While we were growing up, Mom was PTA president for Millsop School and a Campfire Girls leader. In her later years, she served as chaplain for Three Score. Throughout her life, Mom was a homemaker. She sewed and baked and made family meals that brought us all together. Dad and Mom have four daughters: Linda Kucan of Pittsburgh, PA; Kathryn (Justus) McCaskey (deceased) of Weirton, WV; Debbie (Rick) Witkowski of Weirton, WV; and Kimberly (Winn) Van Brimer of Maumelle, AR. They have ten grandchildren and great grandchildren: Danielle (Johnny) Peterson and their children Reagan and Jack (deceased) of Maumelle, AR; Daniel (Audrey) Riddle and their sons Dylan and James of Louisville, TN; Hannah Van Brimer of Maumelle, AR; Joseph (Jessica) Porter of Bloomingdale, OH, and his children Jordan and Tyler of Wheeling, WV. Mom was aunt to the children of her sister Lee Brady of Weirton, WV (deceased), and Helen Phillips of Dearborn, MI (deceased). Aunt Lee’s children include Jeff (Cyndie) Brady (deceased) of Weirton, WV, and Cindy (Dominic) Gaudio, of Port St. Lucie, FL. Aunt Helen’s children include James of Riverside, CA; Douglas of Henderson, NV; and Kenneth (Liz) of Dearborn, MI. On Dad’s side, Mom was aunt to the children of Dad’s brother John Kucan (deceased) including Bonniegail (William) Coleman of Colorado Springs, CO; and Ricky John of Colorado Springs, CO (deceased). Mom was also aunt to Mark (Donna) Olexick, son of Dad’s sister Margaret (Edward) Olexick (deceased). We’re grateful for all the memories of family gatherings on Overlook Drive, where Mom and Dad lived for 67 years. Mom was the heart of our family, and we will never forget her loving care and support for all of us. Private services will be held at St. Paul Cemetery with Father Larry Dorsch officiating. Donations in honor of Virginia Kucan can be made to St. Paul Church, Weirton, WV 140 Walnut Street Weirton, WV 26062. We ask that no flowers or mementos be sent. We want to thank the nurses and staff of Serra Manor for their compassionate care of our mother. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick