Virginia Laura (Ricen) Albanese

Virginia Laura Albanese, 91 of Berkeley Township, passed from this life peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Virginia was born September 8, 1933 in Union City, New Jersey to the late Joseph and Virginia Ricen. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. Virginia was a very talented singer and organist. She served as the head of choir in Sacred Heart Church in Lyndhurst, NJ for over 30 years and provided the vocals for countless weddings and funeral masses. She also enjoyed musical theatre and performed in many local plays. As her children grew she entered the workforce as a real estate and legal secretary.  Virginia volunteered in the Ocean County program helping youth offenders with counseling and guidance. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas.  She loved playing mahjong with her many wonderful friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Virginia is predeceased by her parents, Joseph Ricen; Virginia Paglinco Ricen; husband, Frank Albanese and her companion, Pasquale Tardo.

Virginia is survived by her sons, Michael Albanese and his wife Deborah; John Albanese and his wife Yvonne; daughter, Victoria Albanese and her husband, Len Sanschargrin; grandchildren, Noelle, Kristin and Amanda; great grandchildren, Avery, Nehemiah, Liliana, Amalia, Huxley, Finley and Rowan.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 2pm to 6pm at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am, Monday, August 25, 2025 at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church with Burial to follow at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown, New Jersey

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at: www.stjude.org