It is often said that anyone who enters eternal rest at Christmas will be granted a very special place near the Christ-child. Our beloved mother and grandmother, devoted wife, sister, and dedicated teacher, Virginia, became one of heaven's newest angels on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002.

Born on April 8, 1937, in Karnes County, to Bernice Dworaczyk and Peter J. Szalwinski, Virginia lived in and attended school in Falls City.

Virginia Loraine Szalwinski married Fabian Zaiontz on June 9, 1956, in Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Falls City, where she had been an active parishioner and volunteer.

Virginia and Fabian nurtured three sons: Lester, who currently resides in Concord, N.H.; Karl, who lives with his wife Kathy and their children in Poth; and, Bryan, who lives with his wife Dixie and their children in San Antonio.

Virginia has been a resident of San Antonio for more than 43 years and spent much of that time working with children and her church. As a founding parishioner of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Virginia was an active member of the Altar Society and also helped support numerous church functions and other parish organizations throughout the years.

Most recently Virginia contributed towards the completion of a new sanctuary and church structure for St. Lawrence, where she is loved, admired, and will be greatly missed by many parishioners.

Virginia shared a second church family at St. James Catholic School of San Antonio, where she has served as a teacher for more than 16 years. It gave her great pride and sense of accomplishment.

Perhaps the most shining moment for Virginia was earning her bachelor's degree in religious studies, graduating magna cum laude from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2000.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Fabian; her three sons; two daughters-in-law; and eight beautiful grandchildren: Kelsey, Cody, John, Bryan, Mason, Kyle, Cassidy, and Kevin. Virginia also leaves behind her sister, Patricia Deatherage of Pleasanton, and her brothers, William Archie Szalwinski of Kenedy, and Peter J. Szalwinski, Jr. of Falls City, along with numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, and students. In-laws include Katherine and Chester Zaiontz, Elaine and Thomas Zaiontz, Evangeline and David Zaiontz, Shirley and Walter Zaiontz, and grandmother-in-law Tekla Zaiontz of Falls City.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sister Bernice Janysek of Beeville.

Visitation was held on Friday, Dec. 27, in the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in San Antonio. A rosary followed at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Interment followed in the Holy Trinity Cemetery in Falls City.

Anyone wishing to see Virginia's important ministry with children continue is invited to make memorial gifts in her name to St. James Catholic School, 907 W. Theo, San Antonio, TX 78225.

Posted by Matt Cross