Obituary of Virginia D. Vogelien

Colonie - Virginia “Ginny” Vogelien , 75 of Colonie, passed away on February 16, 2023 after battling Pulmonary Fibrosis for many years. She was trying to fight it for her family but her body could not handle it anymore.

She was a lifelong resident of Colonie and the daughter of the late John and Mabel Ford. She graduated from Colonie High School in 1965 , where she met the love of her life Bruce. They married in 1967 and she was a stay at home mom for 21 years. She loved being able to stay home with her kids and be there for all their activities. Later in life she started working at the New York State Insurance Fund where she retired from in 2012. Her official job was a typist , but party planner or social butterfly would have been a more appropriate description. She made many good friends there and enjoyed her job very much.

The most important thing to Ginny was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved them more than anything in this world and enjoyed every second she could spend with them. Although they did not live close by, she would travel any chance she could to see them in all of their endeavors. Her biggest dream was to have a large piece of land with hers and her children’s homes right next door so she could see them as much and any time she wanted.

Ginny also LOVED shopping, and she could do it for hours on end. She also loved everything and all things purple, her absolute favorite color. Her personality was large and she lit up every room she was in with a contagious smile and boisterous laugh. If she was there you were guaranteed to have a good time. Generous and selfless, many people considered her a second mom, that’s just how she was. Anytime or anything you needed she would be there. She also had many good friends she loved as family and she will be missed dearly by all of them.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Joanne (Bill) Wormuth. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Bruce; her children, Kristine (Dan) Rafferty, John (Jackie) Vogelien; her grandchildren, Delaney, Johnny, Derek, Allie, James and Dean. Also her sister, Linda (Jesse) Matthias and several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, she is being cremated and a private gathering will be held with her close friends and family. A service will be held at a later date at the Saratoga National Cemetery.

Heaven just got a little louder and this world became a little less bright without her in it. In lieu of flowers, spread some peace and love in this world, that was her favorite saying, peace and love.