Virginia Zampella

SCHENECTADY - Virginia S. Savignano Zampella, 100, of Cullen Avenue passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Virginia was a twin, born on August 15, 1926 in Schenectady, the daughter of the late Nicola and Teresina Abruzzi Savignano. Virginia lived on Lenox Road across the street from Steinmetz Park where she spent her time with her siblings playing and swimming in the summer and sledding and ice skating in the winter. Virginia graduated from Nott Terrace High School. After High School she was employed at the General Electric Company until her marriage. Virginia married John G. Zampella in San Francisco in 1950, after the President cancelled his leave.

Virginia’s family was very important to her. She loved taking care and spending time with her four grandchildren. She enjoyed collection recipes, birdhouses, gardening, shopping especially at the Dollar Store, and sitting outside with friends.

Virginia is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John G. Zampella, Jr. (2010) and her 11 siblings; Lena DiCarlo, Jenny Griffin, Phyllis Szenbrot, Ann Marino, James Savignano, Monica Griesemer, Mary Butryn, Joseph Savignano, Michael Savignano, Emily Durand and her twin, Edith Ryan.

Virginia is the mother of Elaine S. Cariglio (John) of Spartanburg, SC and John G. Zampella (Ida) of Schenectady, she loved her grandchildren, Jennifer E. Goldman (Mark) of Spartanburg, SC, John G. Zampella, IV (Matthew) of NYC, Victoria L. Goldstein (Michael), Michael J. Zampella (Chelsie) and five great-grandchildren, Emma D. Zampella and her brother, Michael J. Zampella, Jr., Luke Goldstein, Gianna Goldstein and Marco Huddle-Zampella.

Services will be held at 1:15 pm on Friday with Fr. Dominic Isopo, officiating at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union St. Interment will be in Memory Gardens.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 6 pm.

We would like to thank Angelo & Carol Piccirillo, Angela Evers, Janet and Joseph LaMar and her wonderful caretakers at Accent Health and Community Hospice.