Regina T. "Virginia" Cybulski, 97, of Dunkirk died Tuesday evening, October 10, 2017 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk following a brief illness. She was born January 30, 1920 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Kurlinski) Michalak.
A lifelong Dunkirk resident, Mrs. Cybulski was a parishioner of Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Church of St. Hyacinth. She was a member of the Eagles Club, World War II Vets Auxiliary and the Kosciuszko Polish Home.
Virginia and her husband, Charlie, were very active in the Murray Hose Company #4 Fire Department. During the time when Charlie was chief, they enjoyed traveling together and attending conventions and parades.
Virginia loved to bake, cook, and entertain loved ones. She hosted large extended family parties and dinners at her home in Dunkirk for many years. Christmas was her favorite time of year, especially as it gave her the chance to reconnect with her family while also keeping Polish cultural traditions alive for her loved ones. From her homemade pierogi to her showstopping Christmas cookie platters, she made the holidays memorable for generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. At such settings, she shared stories of the family’s struggles and triumphs, and passed her love of family, ancestry, and heritage down to her loved ones.
Virginia adored her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Until very recently, she was still attending baseball games and birthday parties, and she was always looking for an excuse to shop for the children in the family, or to make a comforting soup, or to sew a new dress for a favorite doll. From special quilts for newlyweds to cozy blankets and stuffed animals to welcome new babies, she marked the special occasions and milestones in her growing family with beautiful gifts made with her love and talent.
Virginia will also be remembered for her impressive gardening. She cultivated a beautiful variety of roses, which she took pleasure in sharing with loved ones. If you paid a visit to Virginia at her home in Dunkirk, chances are that she would have met you outside, where she was clipping the best new blooms to send you home with a colorful bouquet. Chances are also good that she would have had a cat or two trailing cheerfully around her, as Virginia had a fondness for animals and provided a loving home for many pets throughout her life.
Survivors include one daughter, Judith (Dennis) VanDette of Fredonia; three sons, Jack Cybulski of Vero Beach, FL, Fred (Loraine) Cybulski of Las Vegas, NV and Richard (Diane) Cybulski of Cassadaga; eight grandchildren, Jacqueline, Debra, Kim, Karyn, Scott, Ryan, Tracy and Christopher; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester C. Cybulski, who died July 6, 1994; three sisters, infant Patricia Michalak, Blanche Zajac and Marian Timmerman; one brother, Raymond Michalak, who died during World War II; one granddaughter, Darcie Cybulski; and her sister-in-law and best friend, Marian Cybulski.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 14 at 9:15 AM from the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Church of St. Hyacinth. Calling hours will be held Friday, October 13 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Assumption Mausoleum of St. Mary's Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 East Chestnut St., Dunkirk, NY 14048; or Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.
