Virginia Mae Cioppa

SHREWSBURY – Virginia Mae (Lilly) Cioppa passed peacefully in her sleep on October 30, 2025, at Holy Trinity Nursing Center in Worcester. She was born at her grandparents' home in Bethlehem, PA, to Elmer L. and Mae J.C. (Martin) Lilly on February 2nd, 1931.

She leaves behind her brother, William F. Lilly in Texas; her sister Charlotte L. Bickford in Massachusetts; three children, Brandy L. Harris of Shrewsbury, Theodore M. Cioppa and his partner Cheray Kaddoura of Oxford, and Ralph V. Cioppa and his husband Jerry A. Cioppa; her grandchildren, Gillian E. Carlyle and her husband Thomas of Swanzey, NH, Hillary M. McAlice of Westboro, and Savannah M. Cioppa of Oxford; and her great-grandchildren, Thomas R. Carlyle, Amelia E. Carlyle, and Lilly M. McAlice; and several nieces and nephews.

Virginia served in the US Navy W.A.V.E.S from 1951 to 1955 as an Airport Control Operator. She was quiet but determined, and often worked several jobs at a time to support herself and her children. She retired from AstraZeneca to care for her mother, whom she brought from Pennsylvania to live with her. She loved making crafts for every occasion. She was a loving and generous person, helping out where and when she could.

She is predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Martin Lilly and Bruce A. Lilly; a sister Myrtle J. Olson; and her children, Theodore J. Cioppa and Sherry L. Cioppa.

The family would like to thank the staff at Holy Trinity and Brookhaven Hospice for the gentle care and attention they gave her, and her roommate, Joyce Mantalvanos, for being a great friend.

There are no calling hours, and interment will be at the family's convenience at Center Cemetery in Goshen, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Nursing Center, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester, MA 01606.

Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.