Virginia Ann Ambrosini, 84, who was a resident of Alameda for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025 in Elk Grove, California. She lived a full life filled with an unwavering dedication to her family.
She was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on July 27, 1941 to Edith Anderson and Erick Anderson, a World War II vet and survivor of the USS Indianapolis. She is predeceased by both her parents and one sibling, Richard Anderson. She grew up in Vallejo, California, and graduated youngest in her class (16) from Vallejo High in 1958. She continued her studies at Sacramento State University before landing in Alameda to settle and raise her family. She married John Ambrosini, and had two sons, Mark and Joseph Ambrosini.
As a single mom in the 1970s, she started her corporate work career in San Francisco as a key punch operator and then as a self-taught computer programmer working long days and nights. Virginia embarked on a career in technology, ultimately working for American President Lines (APL) as a senior systems engineer, where she met and remarried the love of her life, Don Scellato. She continued on to work for Pacific Bell before starting her encore career in real estate. She was well known to many in Alameda as a hardworking and successful realtor, but was affectionately known to most as “Grammy.” Nothing brought Virginia more joy than spending time with her five granddaughters—Veronica, Vanessa, Anjelica, Jocelyn and Julia. After raising two active boys, having granddaughters became the biggest gift in her life. She loved being a grandma and played a big role in all of their lives.
Grammy loved to play piano and gave the gift of lessons to all of her granddaughters. She and Don were also huge fans of anything Disney and they would often take their “princess” granddaughters to Disneyland. It was a constant theme in all their young lives with Grammy, and part of their fondest childhood memories. She was a dog mom to a succession of four golden retrievers and had a soft heart for all animals and children. She was kind, generous, thoughtful and considerate and always offered a helping hand to those in need. She will be remembered for her playful spirit, warm smile, kind eyes, elegance and grace.
She is survived by her son Mark (Belinda) Ambrosini and Joseph (Gavan) Ambrosini; grandchildren Veronica (Patrick Blonigan) Ambrosini, Vanessa (Zachary Walker) Ambrosini, Anjelica Ambrosini, Jocelyn Ambrosini, Julia Ambrosini; great-grandchild James Ambrosini Blonigan; and many other family members including in-laws, nephews, nieces, and their children.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Greer Family Mortuary, 2694 Blanding Avenue, in Alameda.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation (in memory of her mother Edith) or to the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department.
Virginia’s legacy of kindness, love and generosity will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. May she rest in eternal peace.
