AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our amazing and beautiful mom, Virginia “Gina” (Richley) Keiffer, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at home.
Mom was born and raised in the Briar Hill section of Youngstown, the daughter of Vincent (Ricciulli) and Rose (Patrone) Richley on February 22, 1927.
She attended Tod, Hayes and Rayen schools in Youngstown.
She was very proud of her Briar Hill/Italian roots, attended all the reunions, picnics and dinner dances with the Briar Hill gang.
Mom worked at several local factories, Packard, Ohio Leather Works and Niles Steel Product for 20 years, (retiring in 1989) and Greyhound Foods at General Motors, Lordstown.
She moved to Austintown in 1961 and raised her family there. Mom made great Sunday sauce and meatballs, eggplant parm and tomato and pepper salad, loved hosting holiday and card games with family and friends. She was always the life of the party, loved to dance, listen to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, bus trips to local casinos, playing bingo at St. Joseph and St. Annes and Ohio Lotto scratch offs but above all, loved to spend time with her family and friends, laughing and having fun, she never meet a stranger. Along with her cousin, Kelly and good friend, Linda, they enjoyed playing cards, having a gin and tonic or two, going to the Saxon club and shopping almost daily. She was very compassionate and took care of everyone including both her parents and her in-laws (who loved her as a daughter). Her nieces always remember her as a fashionista sitting at the dressing table getting ready to go out dancing.
She will be missed and always loved by her son, Carson J. Keiffer III of Austintown; daughters, Dina and Darren Harder of Columbus and Tina and Tony Guerrieri of Girard; grandkids, Jena and Andrew Wade of Blackpool, England, Anthony and Amber Guerrieri of Girard, Julia and James Howe of Edinburgh, Scotland and Halayna Harder of Columbus; great-grandkids, Debi, Carina and Cross Guerrieri, of Girard, Charlie and Jack Wade, of Blackpool, England and James and Lucia Howe, of Edinburgh, Scotland; sisters-in-law, Eunice Richley of Florida and Mary Elizabeth Richley of Youngstown, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
She is preceded in by her parents; her in-laws, Carson and Freda Keiffer, Sr. (whom she cared for); brothers, Ralph Richley and Phillip Richley; sister, Phillis and John Zarlenga and nephews, Frank and Zachary Zarlenga.
The family would like to thank Susan Carasella for her many years of great care and Dawn Inglis for keeping mom beautiful. Special thanks to Hospice of the Valley, especially nurses, Megan, Erin, Pete, Amy and Destiny, for such great care and love that was showed mom.
A Mass and memorial service will be held in July to honor mom–time to be announced.
In lieu of floral and monetary gifts, please donate in Gina’s name to St. Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 224, Youngstown, OH 44501.
Arrangements by Cremation & Funeral Service by Gary S. Silvat, Inc. Share memories or send condolences by visiting cremateohio.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virginia (Richley) Keiffer, please visit our floral store.
A television tribute will air Sunday, May 7, at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
