Virginia N. (Cole) Pipik

Virginia N. Pipik, 95, of California, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2023 in Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital. She was born Virginia Naomi Cole on March 4, 1928, in California, Pennsylvania, to Fanny and Angelo Cole. 

In her last days, Ginny was surrounded by an outpouring of love from her beloved family members - children, (great)grandchildren, nieces, family friends, nurses/ caretakers, and even a family dog.

Her daughter Barbara, granddaughter Nicole and wife Kelly, great-granddaughter Samantha and husband Aaron, and niece Sheila Monack, & great-niece Lisa Hitchings were all by her side, especially during her final hours of life bringing her comfort.  Father Efren Ambre of the Historic Church of St. Peter's visited her for Last Rites, and Virginia was able to pray with him lightly. She was a strong woman and fighter until the very end, able to transition to Heaven without any pain or struggle. 

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara A. Pipik; granddaughter, Nicole L. Hafer, and her wife Kelly; great-granddaughter, Samantha M. Knopsnyder, and her husband Aaron. She was the sister-in-law of Rosanne Buffer for 74 years and had numerous nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. She also leaves behind her fur-grand-dogs, Iris Knopsnyder and Kinzy Hafer.

Ginny was preceded in death by her husband, USMC Corporal Thomas Michael (Mike) Pipik; mother, Fanny Cole; father, Angelo Cole; Brothers, Joseph Cole, and his wife Dorothy, along with Phillip Cole, and his wife Alvina; Sisters, Frances Balkus, and her husband Henry, as well as Elizabeth Williams, and her husband Leon; and nephews, Thomas Cole and Leon (Little Lee) Williams. Her fur-grand-dog, Lexi Pipik, also preceded her in death.

Virginia's educational journey began at East Pike Run Primary School. She went on to achieve remarkable career accomplishments, particularly in politics. She was the first woman to ever be elected to the California Borough Council. Then, Ginny was named President of the California Borough Council and held the position for well over a decade. She played a pivotal role in preserving the residential area of "River Hill" and its surrounding neighborhoods in California by halting the expansion the, then, California State College. Ginny also actively participated in various revitalization projects for her beloved town.

Alongside her father, brother, and husband, she successfully ran the 'Angelo Cole & Sons' family business while caring for her loved ones as a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Ginny was a member of the Catholic Church, specifically St. Thomas Aquinas, where she was a Catechism Teacher as well as a Eucharistic Minister.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the viewing, which will be held at Mariscotti Funeral Home, Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 4th St, California, PA, 0n Wednesday  October 25, from 6-8pm; and, Thursday, October 26,  from 2-4pm & 6-8pm.
 

Prayers of transfer at 12:30 pm on Friday, October 27 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm in  St. Peter's Catholic Church, located at 118 Church St, Brownsville, PA, with Fr. Alvin  Aberion as Celebrant.

 After the Mass, a funeral procession will proceed to Lafayette Memorial Park, located at 132 Twin Hills Rd, Brier Hill, PA, 15415

Virginia Pipik was an amazing woman who left an indelible mark on her community and in the hearts of all who knew her. Her legacy as a trailblazer in politics and a devoted family member will be cherished forever.

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