Virginia “Babe” (Heussner) Catalano died suddenly on February 11, 2025, in State College, PA.
Virginia, affectionately nicknamed “Babe” by her grandfather, was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania to John and Amelia Heussner on November 12, 1952 and graduated from DuBois Area High School in 1970. Virginia was considered to be a special, funny, witty, compassionate person by her family and friends. She immensely enjoyed regular Friday lunches with her best friends and her College Heights neighborhood “ladies night games.”
Virginia earned a degree in Sociology from the Pennsylvania State University and during her enrollment, married Michael J. (“Mickey”) Catalano. The two remained together as husband and wife for almost forty years.
Virginia worked for several local non-profits that were supportive of women’s rights, health and personal care. She was also an enthusiastic and accomplished interior designer/decorator, and along with her husband, Mickey, completed many DIY projects that transformed their various homes into showplaces that were both beautiful and welcoming.
Virginia and Mickey also shared a passion for the many Golden Retriever dogs they had during their time together including Maggie, Tess, Ivy, Chloe, and Peaches who all pre-deceased Virginia, and Sunny, BJ, and Bogie who were with her at her death, will miss her terribly, and will remain together with Mickey.
Virginia is survived by her husband and best friend Mickey; her son Eric M. Fezell and his wife Hillary who reside in Katy, TX, and their children Jonathan and Samantha; her sisters Janet Heussner, of Larchmont, NY, and Patricia McKinney, of Reading, PA; her niece Sarah Knittle, and her husband Eric and son Maxwell, who reside in Larchmont, NY; step-children Michael J. Catalano, Jr., his wife Julie and their sons Sebastiano (“Sebi”) and Rocco, who reside in Dallas, TX; Laura Pierce, her husband Art and their children Teah, Grant and Ella, who reside in Pittsburgh, PA; and Jennifer Virga, her husband Virgil P. Virga, Jr., and their children Mikaela, Kamerin, and Virgil, III, who reside in Charleston, SC.
Virginia often expressed her pride in her children and grandchildren who were all very special to her and loved very dearly.
A memorial service to celebrate Virginia’s life with family and friends will be held at a date in the near future.
Family and friends that wish to make a donation in remembrance of Virginia are encouraged to contact Centre County (Pennsylvania) Paws.