Virginia R. Sirinides

Virginia R. Sirinides, 97, of Midland Park, NJ, went to be with her Lord Jesus on May 14, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, Stephen and their son, Philip, and is survived by their children, Mark Sirinides, Ann Sirinides, Nike (Peter) Brandner, Thomas (Won-Ling) Sirinides, and Daniel (Heidi) Sirinides, as well as 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Virginia (“Ginny”) was born in the Bronx, NY, in March 1925.  She grew up in a loving Christian home, with her parents, maternal grandmother and older sister, Eleanor.  They all were active members of the Second Disciples of Christ Church, Bronx, NY where, at a young age, Ginny trusted in Christ Jesus and was baptized.

Ginny graduated high school at age 16; at 20, she finished her BA at Wheaton College, majoring in Christian Education and minoring in Spanish; and by 23, she had received her MS in Nursing plus her RN from Yale University.  These three fields reflected themes that ran throughout her life: Bible teaching; cross-cultural relations; and service and care for others.  The only thing missing from this list is her life-long love of music.

After completing her studies, Ginny worked for Visiting Nurse Service of New York, using her language skills as a nurse in Spanish Harlem, and also going after work to play the organ and lead the choir for the Spanish congregation of the Second Disciples of Christ Church in the Bronx, which had added a Spanish-language service for their new and fast-growing Puerto Rican immigrant community.  

In addition to music and language, Ginny loved to study and teach the Bible.  In 1953, she joined the staff of Nurses Christian Fellowship, a division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship-USA.  She traveled from campus to campus in the Great Lakes region and upstate New York, ministering and teaching Bible study skills to young nursing students.
In May 1955, Ginny married Stephen Sirinides, an immigrant from Athens, Greece, and settled in Midland Park, NJ, where they raised six children.  Ginny was active in her community, serving as president of the Midland Park PTA, and also as president of the high school’s Home and School Organization.  She served on the Midland Park Board of Health, and also on a Citizens’ Advisory Committee.  She led the choir at First Reformed Church of Midland Park.  Throughout her life, she organized and led Bible studies with her neighbors, and also jointly authored two family Bible study guides published by Fleming Revell Publishers in the 1970s.  

Ginny was a member of Cornerstone Christian Church for over 55 years, where she organized and ran the Vacation Bible School program for more than a decade, served on the Christian Education Council, and taught a ladies' Sunday School class for 20 years.  

Besides being a gifted teacher and administrator, Ginny truly had the gift of hospitality.  Her home was constantly open to friends and strangers. Countless missionaries, international students, high school students, visitors or newcomers at church, friends and family enjoyed plentiful meals around the table in her crowded dining room or the picnic table just outside her kitchen door, or even stayed as overnight guests.  Christian hospitality and service were hallmarks of her life from beginning to end. In all she did and faced in life, Ginny followed her Lord Jesus faithfully.  She went home to be with Him on May 14, 2022.

Viewing and funeral information is below.  Funeral will be followed by interment at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ.  A light lunch will follow for those who can attend.  
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cornerstone Christian Church - Missions, 495 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481; or via internet at the Cornerstone website (https://pushpay.com/g/cornerstonenj) - choose “In Memorium” fund.