Virginia Mae Faris

Virginia Mae Faris (nee Staten), 94, of Vermilion, died Monday, August 3, 2026, at her home, after a life well-lived, and surrounded by her family and friends.

Mae was born on November 30, 1931, in Ironton, Ohio and graduated from Ironton High School in 1949. In her teen years, Mae spent summers in Vermilion and Lorain, where she met the love of her life, Bill Faris, and they married in 1951.

Mae and Bill resided in Lorain, raising 4 children, until 1964, when they relocated to Vermilion. Soon thereafter, Mae became a well-known fixture at Pauley’s Florist and, later, Ginger’s Florist for many years, helping many Vermilionites with flowers for both festive and sad occasions.

Mae and Bill enjoyed many years of traveling all over the United States and Canada, visiting all 50 states and much of Canada. They loved visiting Alaska and made summer trips there many times. Most of their travels were camping and she loved visiting many of our national and state parks, and loved Canadian provincial parks. She also spent over 20 years at her second home in North Port, Florida.

Mae’s hobbies included swimming, hiking, camping, painting and reading. Her greatest joys were spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, William Bruce (Karen) Faris of Hayden, Idaho, Philip Edward (Barbie) Faris of Vermilion, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Debbie Faris of Elyria, Ohio, and daughter, Jill (Jay) Boggess of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee; grandchildren, Trevor Darby, Chris Faris, Jr., Theresa Tetrault, Jared Faris, Jessica Harlan, and Joshua Mingus; several great grandchildren and siblings, Robert Staton, Audrey Grubb, Janet Tilley, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, William B. Faris; her parents, Howard and Edith Staten, her son, Chris Alan, and five of her eight siblings.

At her request, no public services are to be held and the family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.