Virginia S. Hosmer

Virginia (“Nina”) Sylvia Hosmer from Plymouth, Michigan passed away on September 29, 2023, at the age of 85, surrounded by her husband, both children, her son-in-law, and all five of her loving and dedicated grandchildren. Nina was born in Detroit on February 1, 1938, to Arthur and Victoria Manoli. She grew up in Detroit and had a wonderful childhood with her family. Nina spent a lot of time with her maternal grandmother, who nurtured Nina’s natural curiosity and taught her to cook and sew. Nina grew up immersed in the Romanian culture which was rich with family time, great food, and countless adventures. Nina attended Mackenzie High School and graduated in 1956. She went on to college at Wayne State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1960. Her first job out of college was as an elementary school teacher for Westwood Public Schools in Dearborn Heights. At Westwood, Nina met the love of her life, Jack Hosmer. When she walked into the teachers’ lounge on his first day of work and he saw “his Nina,” it was love at first sight. In two weeks, they had their first date. Nina and Jack were married six weeks later, on April 21, 1962. They spent over sixty-one (61) lovely years together as best friends and soulmates. Nina also worked as an elementary school teacher at Redford School District where she and her students built an enormous almost life-size paper mâché elephant that remained in the lobby of the school for many years. Nina was a fabulous, creative, dedicated, and kind teacher who regularly received praise from parents, school administrators and her fellow teachers. She was so compassionate with her students and cared about them so deeply that some of those kids, in their adulthood, reached out to Nina to let her know what an impact she had on their lives. Jack and Nina welcomed a son, Jack Jr. in March of 1969 and a daughter, Karin, in December of 1970. Nina took a break from teaching and dedicated her life to caring for her husband and children. She volunteered in her children’s classrooms, helped them with homework, sewed costumes, cooked fantastic meals and most importantly, created a home that was overflowing with love, laughter, and security. Once her children were almost through high school, Nina returned to the classroom as a second-grade teacher at Edgemont Elementary in Van Buren Public Schools in Belleville, Michigan. She passionately enriched the lives of her students until she retired from teaching in 1996. Nina became a grandmother in 2001 with the birth of her grandson, Colin, and later that year, her granddaughter, Kaye. In 2006, she was blessed with three more grandsons, Jack III, Alex, and Tyler. Nina spent the last twenty-two years of her life dedicated to loving her grandchildren unconditionally and wholeheartedly. She baked with them, did crafts, played games, and spoiled them completely. Her five grandchildren adored her and loved her deeply. Jack and Nina had homes in West Dearborn, Redford Township, Northville Township and Plymouth Township. Nina and her family spent their summers at their cottage in Eastport, Michigan, on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay. There they created so many wonderful memories including boat trips, campfires, days spent at the beach, game nights, cookouts, and many parties. The summers at the cottage continued every year until this past summer. The family will never forget their last sunset together on the family deck overlooking Lake Michigan when she wore her aviator shades and her beautiful smile. Nina was known for being a selfless person who gave so much to others. She was artistic, a gifted painter, an expert and award-winning cook, as well as a wonderful seamstress. Nina taught her children and grandchildren, by example, that one of life’s richest rewards can be found in the act of giving to others. She enriched and improved the lives of so many and excelled at encouraging family and friends and knowing just how to support them through their passions and life’s challenges. Nina was a master at throwing exquisite parties and made every holiday and birthday special and meaningful. She loved to give gifts and no holiday or birthday passed without its proper recognition. Her generosity was unsurpassed. Nina was such an amazing person that there are not enough words to appropriately pay her tribute. Nina is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Victoria Manoli, and her brother Arthur Manoli II. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jack Hosmer, her son Jack Hosmer Jr. (former daughter-in-law, Kim), her daughter Karin (Christopher) Young, and her grandchildren, Colin Young, Kaye Hosmer, Jack Hosmer III, Alex Young, and Tyler Young. She is also survived by her nephew, Arthur Manoli III (Alexandra) and niece, Christina (Brian) as well as great-niece, Theodora. Visitation will be held at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Rd. W. (between Sheldon & Beck) Plymouth, MI 48170, on Friday, October 6th from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, October 7th at Risen Christ Lutheran Church, 46250 Ann Arbor Rd. W. Plymouth, MI 48170, with a viewing from 11:00-11:30 a.m. and a service beginning at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’ Children’s Research Hospital or The Wounded Warrior Project. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this web page.

Virginia S. Hosmer

February 1, 1938 - September 29, 2023