Marietta Virges

Due to power outages, visiting hours have been moved to Saturday, August 8 from 6-9 PM at the VANDER MAY WAYNE COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 567 RATZER RD, WAYNE, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 7:30 PM on Saturday during the visiting hours.

Marietta A Virges (nee Ballesteros), age 64, of Haskell passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2020 while receiving the loving care of her family and after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Marietta was born and raised in Cabusao Camarines Sur, Philippines and was one of six children to Santiago and Maura Ballesteros.  Marietta attended High School in Camarines Sur National High School and graduated with the class of 1973.  Following her graduation from High School, Marietta enrolled at the Bicol University in the Philippines where she graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree.  Marietta found work quickly as a registered nurse in a hospital in Manila where she worked for about a year.  Marietta then picked up and moved to Libya where she accepted a position again as a registered nurse.  Marietta remained in Libya for nearly seven years.  During her time there, Marietta was introduced to a handsome young man by the name of Nelson Virges.  The two started dating and as fate would have it they fell in love and after about three years were married on December 11, 1986.

After getting married, Marietta and Nelson returned to their jobs, Marietta went back to Libya and Nelson returned to his job in Oman.  In 1988, the couple made a life-changing decision and quit their jobs and returned to their homeland, the Philippines.  After only a short time back in the Philippines, in 1990, Marietta and Nelson made another momentous and profound decision.  The couple decided that they would immigrate to the United States in search of a better life and the American Dream.  When they arrived in America they settled in the city of Paterson.  Marietta and Nelson lived there for about four years.  Once again, Marietta found work quickly and continued her career as a Registered Nurse employed at the Preakness HealthCare Center in Wayne.  Marietta worked for Preakness HealthCare Center for twenty-six years until her retirement in 2016.  During that time, between 1995 and 2015, she also worked part time for Lakeland HealthCare Center in her hometown of Haskell.

In 1992, Marietta and Nelson welcomed their first and only child, their son Rob.  Marietta was a truly devoted mother and instilled the importance and value of a good education in her son Rob throughout his life.  Marietta was an avid gardener, being able to grow just about anything.  Every summer Marietta had her husband Nelson and son Rob transport all of her tropical plants from inside the house to outside in the backyard.  The guest room in her home was dedicated to her immeasurable collection of tropical trees and plants.  Not only was Marietta a wonderful gardener and dedicated mother, she was also devoted to her Catholic Faith.  Oftentimes on the weekends Marietta would wake up her son and husband and get them to attend Catholic Mass with her.  Throughout her life, Marietta donated to a variety of different charities.  Aside from all of Marietta’s interests and talents, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Marietta than spending time with, and providing for her family.  Marietta and Nelson cherished thirty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Marietta was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew her.

Marietta is survived by her husband Nelson Virges of Haskell, one son Rob Virges of Haskell, three brothers; Raul Ballesteros and his wife Victoria of Los Angeles, CA, Santiago Ballesteros of Cebu City, Philippines, and Adrian Catbagan and his wife Edith of Manila, Philippines, two sisters Grace Atienza and her husband Ding of Napa Valley, CA, and Marilyn Grimes and her husband Randy of American Canyon, CA, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents Santiago and Maura Ballesteros.

In lieu of flowers, those planning to make a donation in Marietta’s name are asked to consider Cancer Treatment Center of America, Gateway for Cancer Research, 500 E. Remington Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173. www.gatewayforcancerresearch.org