Portville- Virginia Rose Blakeslee Taggerty Lyons, died Thursday (September 30, 2021) at the Olean General Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Born December 4, 1931 to Ruby and Minnie Rhinihults Blakeslee, Virginia lived on Lillibridge Road for 88 of her 89 years.

She worked at several restaurants and delis in Olean and the Old School House Motel in Portville for several years. She then drove school bus for Portville Central School for 20 years. After retiring, she drove for Blue Bird/ Laidlaw for 10 years.

Virginia loved to sew, garden, and play bingo. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family.

In 1949 she married, John C. Taggerty and they had four children. She later married, Clifford Lyons, who predeceased her.

She is survived by her children; Rosemary (Tom) Warner, Deborah (Mike) Bechelli, Johnita (Francis) Wilson, and Donald (Diana) Taggerty; one step-son, Gary Lyons; eight grandchildren, Cheryl (Joe Bach) Warner, Amy (Frank) Wilson, John (Jade) Bechelli, Jeremy Bechelli, Heather Gibbons, Holly Baker, Chance (Alecia Sterling) Wilson, Alyssia (Jesse Bobb) Taggerty; twelve great-grandchildren, Ryan, Dominic, Miranda, and Liam Puccinelli, Gabriella and Elena Wilson, Deven and Justin Gibbons, Emma Baker, Peyton Willard, and Lily and Waden Wilson; great-great grandchildren, Mason and Owen Puccinelli, and Elais Puccinelli (due in December). Sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Blakeslee, Judy Haight, Geraldine and Viola Taggerty; a special cousin, Polly Girodano; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, and husbands, she was predeceased by; four brothers, James, Robert, Albert, and Terry Blakeslee; and two sisters, Margaret (Daniel) Karr, and Ruthann (Garner) Lockridge.

At Virginia’s request there will be no services. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, 51 S. Main Street, Portville. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.