Virginia Irene Korenek Russo, 91, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

Virginia was born on April 5, 1933, in Highlands, TX to Arnold and Irene Kaminski Korenek. She grew up in Highlands, TX and graduated as Valedictorian from Deerpark, TX. She was married to Johnny Eugene Dunaway and they had two sons, Paul and Clif. As a young mother raising her boys, she worked for the Dunaway family Tug and Dredging business as a bookkeeper and an accountant. While living in Texas, she was a member of the Houston Grand Opera, the daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Junior Service League of Port Lavaca.

Virginia enjoyed continuing her education as she started at Rice University with a full scholarship and later continued her studies earning multiple degrees at Victoria College and the University of Houston. She loved learning and was an avid reader. She was also a musician, taking after her grandfather Kaminski and mother who taught her how to play the piano. She made her clothes, always sewing and repairing whatever was needed. She did amazing needlework cross stitching a huge replica of the Last Supper that hung on her wall.

Virginia was a wonder woman as a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was positive and cherished her family. She would frame and hang her great grandkids, Harper and Haden's artwork on her wall they lovingly shared with her. She was always taking care of someone dying, her father, her mother, her husband and family members. Virginia enjoyed traveling with her late second husband, Larry Russo. She was always a member of her local catholic church, most recently St. Michael's in Pensacola where she volunteered. She was a fantastic chef and published a family cookbook as a legacy of love to share with family and friends close to her.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Lawrence "Larry" Russo and brother, Robert Korenek.

She is survived by her brother, Arnold Korenek (Dolores); sister, Irene Korenick Goedrich; sons, Paul Dunaway and Clifton Dunaway; step children, Carolann Russo Holmes, Lawrence Russo, III (Patti) and John Kevin Russo (Lisa); grandchildren, John Dunaway (Kim), Cory Dunaway, S. Grant Holmes, III, Jennifer Russo Samaha (Joseph), Rachel Russo Bevins, M.D. (Tyler) and Andrea Russo Kellar (Ryan); great grandchildren, Harper Dunaway, Haden Dunaway, Elle Samaha, Caroline Samaha, Maggie Bevins and Addie Bevins. Many nieces and nephews also survived her and some cousins, including Susan Kaminski who frequently visited with Virginia.

A time of prayer will be held from 11:00am until a Funeral Mass is celebrated at 12:10pm Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, with Fr. Joe Fowler celebrant. A rosary will be prayed at 11:30am just prior to Mass. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Paul Dunaway, Clifton Dunaway, Cory Dunaway, John Dunaway, Phillip Korenek, and Larry Russo, III.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, 21 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32502.

Special thanks to Martha Simpkins for her devotion beyond family to Virginia and her family through the last years.