Elona Virag
VIRAG, Elona Veronica Mary (March 21, 1947 – March 12, 2024)
Passed away peacefully with her loving children by her side, on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, Elona Veronica Mary Virag a resident of Tillsonburg in her 77th year. Born in Tillsonburg, daughter of the late Michael Virag and the late Lenke Julia (Barta) Virag of Delhi, Ontario. Survived by the father of their children: Fredrick Pongracz. Loving mother and mother-in-law of: Anthony Pongracz (Melissa), Carlisle; Stephanie Pongracz-Clarysse (Rick), Simcoe; Jennifer Malcolm (Kevin), Belmont. Loving grandmother of: Olivia, Alexandra, Stephen, and step-granddaughter Sydney. Survived by her siblings: Barbara Beaumont, Marilyn Virag, Stephen Virag, Rosemary Virag and Julie VanPaemel. Predeceased by her siblings: Betty Bowyer, Michael Virag and Kathy Van Wynsberghe. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elona had a special relationship with her beloved ‘Aunt’ Helen Kardos and ‘Aunt’ Irene Zahorak (predeceased).
Elona touched the lives of many people, especially through her many friendships, community service and her service as a dedicated, caring Personal Support Worker (PSW) with both the Red Cross, V.O.N. and various Long-term care homes. She will never be forgotten by the many people she assisted.
Elona loved the farm. Throughout her life she often spoke about her childhood growing up on her parent’s farm in Alymer. She was a tobacco farmer for 20 years prior to working in healthcare. She raised her kids on a farm near Langton. Elona instilled lifelong values to her children, with her examples of hard work, perseverance, and determination. She never gave up.
Elona loved to cook. Hungarian dishes were always a staple within the home. Cabbage rolls, chicken paprikash, and her chicken soup, which was requested for every visit by her grandchildren. Food in the home was a high priority and Elona loved nothing more than to sit around a table with family and celebrate a meal.
Elona was the matriarch of the family, very devoted to those she loved, especially the grandchildren and her heart beamed with pride for all of them (and especially her new grandson Stephen who was born in December). Her children and grandchildren were everything to Elona and she loved spending time with them.
She was a kind-hearted, generous, and loving person. She made friends everywhere and had a larger-than-life caring personality. She had a wonderful sense of humor, infectious laugh, and a beautiful smile. She will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched and will never be forgotten.
Friends, neighbours and relatives were welcome to meet with the family for funeral home visitation on Monday, March 18th, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg. Prayer Service Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Verhoeve Funeral Home Chapel, Tillsonburg. Complete Funeral Mass of Christian Burial has taken place on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 51 Venison Street West, Tillsonburg, by Rev. Fr. Seejo John. Cremation to follow the Mass. Family Inurnment later in the St. Ladislaus of Hungary R.C. Cemetery, Courtland.
Relatives and friends are also invited to remember to also attend the Celebration of Elona’s Life on Saturday, April 27th, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Delhi District Hungarian Hall, 71 King Street, Delhi, ON with the Hungarian Dinner occurring at about 2:00 p.m.
Everyone who knew Elona is invited to share favourite memories, upload photos, express personal condolences, order flowers or easily contribute memorial donations to the “Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario” via Elona’s online tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by contacting the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg (519)842-4238, entrusted with all funeral arrangements, with confidence.