Virginia D. Mastej

Virginia D. Mastej

Age 91, a lifelong resident of Detroit, passed away on January 29, 2022. She was born on February 2, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Andrew and Tekla (neé Filipek) Janik.  Virginia lived in the home where she was born.  She graduated from St. Hedwig High School in Detroit.  Virginia was united in marriage to John S. Mastej on June 16, 1951; they spent over 54 years devoted to one another until his death on October 3, 2005.

Virginia was a hardworking mother of 4, she began working as a counter clerk at various Kowalski stores where she worked for 25 years. She then began a career as an operations clerk at National Bank of Detroit, retiring in 1992. Virginia was a dedicated volunteer at St. Hedwig Church in Detroit and was always there to help in anyway.

Proud of her Polish heritage, she loved cooking with her granddaughters and teaching them how to make a perfect pierogi. Virginia and John enjoyed Polka dancing and taking small trips together. They would sit by the Detroit River watching the ships go by while enjoying an ice cream. As a young family, they would vacation every summer up north at the Ramsden’s Cottages in Manistique.

Virginia loved playing bingo and completing word search puzzles daily because it kept her mind active. She also loved crocheting blankets and gifting them to family and friends. Virginia looked forward to hosting holidays at her home because that meant she was able to spend quality time with her family. She instilled wonderful values into her children and was very pleased with the adults they became. Virginia was a caring and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her children, Stephen (Kathy) Mastej, Kat (Tom) Wolak, Michael (Karen) Mastej, and Chris (Jan) Mastej; and her granddaughters, Lauren (Jim Keller) Mastej-Keller and Hannah Mastej. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Genevieve Balawajder.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , Contributions – VE01FS, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201.