Dr. Virginia Carol Demchik

She is also survived by a son, Dr. Michael C. Demchik and wife, Sophia, of Almond, Wisconsin; a daughter, Stephanie Tuite and husband, Tim, of Highland, Maryland; and four grandchildren, Benjamin and Emily Demchik and Kyra and Kayleigh Tuite and a stepgranddaughter, Melissa Jones of Kerens, WV. She also is survived by three brothers; Carl Felosa and wife, Susan, and Florentino (Tino) Felosa and wife, Marchia, of Shinnston, WV, Sam Minardi, Stonewood, WV; sister-in-law, Mrs. Anthony (Mary Grace) Felosa of Shinnston, WV.

Virginia received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Fairmont State College, a Master’s of Arts in Science and Math Education and a Doctorate in Science Teacher Education from West Virginia University. She attended advanced studies and/or post-doctoral studies at American University, the University of Maryland, University of Iowa, East Carolina University, Shepherd University, Clarion University, College of Graduate Studies, Marshall University and William and Mary College. She was a recipient of many grants: one with the Department of Energy to Work with scientists at METC Energy Center in Morgantown, WV and one at CEBAF (Jefferson Labs) Nuclear Electron Beam Facility in Newport News, VA. In 2010, Dr. Demchik was awarded the Teacher with contributions to Excellence in Education by the WV Italian Heritage Society, Clarksburg, WV.

Dr. Demchik was in education for 40 years before retirement. She taught at Roosevelt-Wilson High School in Clarksburg, WV, Scott High School in Madison, WV, and Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction, WV. She was an adjunct professor at Bowie State College (MD), Parkersburg Community College (WV), Southern West Virginia Community College, COGS, Marshall University, West Virginia University and Shepherd University. She taught advanced science, mathematics, math education and science education. During those years, she published or presented over 200 articles and papers in the areas of science and math. With her husband, she published a novel, “The Future Mirrors the Past” and a cookbook, “His and Hers Cookbook.”

She was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church. Virginia held memberships in WVU Alumni Foundation, WV Academy of Science, AAPT-Appalachian Chapter, HHRE-WVU Chapter, National Science Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, WV Retired Teachers Association. Dr. Demchik was the NSTA Regional Director for the states of West Virginia, Virginia and Kentucky from 1998-2000.

She preferred to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She spent a great deal of time on her computer and really enjoyed getting emails from her family and friends. Her fascination with sports was legend. She watched college football, basketball, baseball, NASCAR and any other sport that caught her attention. She loved finding new recipes or ways of cooking.

There will be no viewing. A Memorial Mass will be held at, St. Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, MD, on Friday, March 27, 2015, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 841 Country Club Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505.

Obituary provided by Perine Funeral Home, Shinnston.