Vera Lisovsky O'Reilly

Vera Lisovsky O’Reilly passed away quietly in her home on August 16th, 2017. She was 95 years old. Born on September 29th, 1921 to Joseph and Susan Lisovsky in Johnston, PA, she was the second youngest of six siblings: Margaret, May, Eleanor, Walter, and Claudia. She was close with her family, often spending holidays and vacations with them. She lived with Margaret while she attended nursing school, and they shared a special bond that would last throughout their lives. She joined the Army as a nurse during World War II and was deployed to Germany where she met her future husband and best friend, Air Force fighter pilot John O’Reilly. Despite his Air Force roots (and the fact that he waited 2 weeks to call her back after their first date) they fell in love and were happily married for 53 years, becoming the sole members of their exclusive club, the “Mutual Admiration Society”. They had two children, John and Kathleen, to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother. She raised them to be strong, independent, and confident adults and their appreciation and devotion to her was apparent. John was always on hand to help around the house with tasks both big and small—from fixing a leaky sink to replacing a broken door to managing her estate as she aged. Kathy was always by her mother’s side providing lifelong companionship. They went on numerous trips together: Ireland, Hawaii, and on various road trips around the U.S. In Vera’s later years, Kathy took over the driving and shopping, and was lovingly by her side at the end. Vera was incredibly active, whether through the Church or at home. Faith was an important part of her life. She was a devout Catholic and loyal patron of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Petersburg, VA, for 30 years, never missing a Sunday. She helped to administer the Church’s Outreach Program for the homeless. After the military, she put her nursing skills to good use by volunteering at the Red Cross at the Ft. Lee Army hospital. She had a passion for making—from sketching to drawing, pastels, and wood carving. She collected things from her yard—pine cones or sea shells, and turned these found objects into ornaments that she hung around the house or gave to friends. She sewed and knitted most of her own clothing which she wore throughout her life, and somehow always looked timelessly fashionable. She maintained a bountiful garden, and most days her Green Thumb was no match for the countless rabbits that threatened her crops. She loved being in the kitchen, trying new recipes, and having dinner parties to share her discoveries. She was solely responsible for keeping alive several long lost Czech/Russian recipes, many of which involved beets, and was only too happy to try to convince those nearest her of their deliciousness. She loved making sure that everyone had enough to eat, never believing for one second that a single helping of food was enough. Her baking was legendary, as was her English Muffin bread, and she was quick to share the recipes that she had perfected. She was an avid reader, and an active volunteer at the local library for years. She loved games—mahjongg, cards, cribbage, and especially Scrabble, and wouldn’t hesitate to pull out the dictionary if she thought you were trying to pull one over on her. She was tough but fair, but also had a sharp, dry sense of humor that came out among loved ones. She had a sweet smile, a warm laugh, and eyes that always hinted at the fact that she knew everything that was going on around her (even when you thought she didn’t notice). She was kind hearted and generous of herself, always finding time for others. She was a wonderful, loving person, and an even dearer friend. We love you and miss you a bushel and a peck. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen, son John and wife LuAnne, granddaughter Meghan and husband Christopher, grandson John #3 and wife Priyam, and Katie #2. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 23rd from 6-8 pm at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be Thursday, August 24th at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Petersburg, graveside services will be at Southlawn Memorial Park immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Petersburg. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .