Virginia (Santangelo) Sellers

Virginia Sellers, longtime resident of Morgan Hill, California, died peacefully on September 12.

Virginia was born in Denver, Colorado. Her family was part of a tight-knit community of Italian Americans from the southern Italian town of Potenza. As the only daughter in a multi-generational household during the depression and World War II, much was expected of her. She worked with her mother in the kitchen, helped care for her grandmother, and looked after her two younger brothers.

After high school she started working at the phone company, where she met a young IBM machine operator who would become her husband. They quickly had two sons, then IBM transferred them to Japan for two years. After returning, they settled in the Almaden neighborhood of San Jose, had their only daughter, then moved to Morgan Hill in 1973.

In addition to keeping an immaculate home while raising three children, Virginia held a variety of part time jobs, including Avon salesperson and teacher's aide.

After her children were grown, she was offered the opportunity to manage a new farmers market in downtown Morgan Hill. She remained manager for over 30 years, growing the market from just a few farmers into a thriving, popular community destination.

Virginia loved spending time with her grandchildren, listening to music, and tending her well-manicured yard. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Lucille Santangelo, and her brother Ralph, and leaves brothers Richard and Albert, children Greg (Suzi), Dave (Chris) and Christine (Chris Branon), and seven grandchildren.

A memorial mass was held at St. Catherine's Church in Morgan Hill. Interment will be held October 11, 2024 at Fairmount Funeral Home in Denver, Colorado.

Published in Morgan Hill Times · October 1, 2024