Virginia Bottorff of Syracuse, passed away at her home on Saturday, May 2nd 2026. Born in Serres, Greece on March 9th 1951, she moved to the USA with her family at five years old. Virginia lived with a passionate curiosity for knowledge and the natural world. She held a deep compassion for animal life and an admiration for the splendor of Earth’s biomes and the universe. Virginia was a loving mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to her children, granddaughter and pets; always remembering the smallest of details to make them feel loved and appreciated. She was predeceased by her mother Erifilly Galanidou Orphanides. Surviving are her children, Stephanie Bottorff and Kyle Bottorff (Lizzie), granddaughter, Georgia Bottorff, brother, Constantinos Orphanides, sister, Maria Morgan, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11am at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave. A calling hour will be held prior from 10am to 11 at the funeral home. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy or IFAW.

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”

– Carl Sagan