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Virginia Maria Puccini, born October 28, 1922 in Viareggio, Italy, beloved wife, friend, and Albuquerque entertainment matriarch passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2010. Virginia was an international dancer, trapeze artist and acrobat, and headlined throughout the United States and Europe. Virginia's experiences included being a trapeze and acrobatic artist with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, she was invited to appear on the famous Ed Sullivan Show, appeared in Marlene Dietrich's "Golden Earrings" in 1947 and was a life-long member of AGVA. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 43 years, Thomas P. Doyle, her parents Luigi and Iole Puccini, and grandparents Oreste and Maria Bachechi. Virginia was raised in Albuquerque. As an Albuquerque High School student, she opened the Voncel Dance Studio in Downtown Albuquerque, and then began her dance career. After her retirement from performing, Virginia and her husband Tom ran nightclubs in Kentucky, Texas and New Mexico. Virginia was on the cutting edge of Albuquerque's Downtown revitalization when, in 1981, she transformed a dilapidated movie theater and lamp shop in a boarded up downtown area into the Historic El Rey Theater and Puccini's Golden West Saloon, one of the Southwest's foremost performance venues. Virginia had a heart of gold and a great deal of compassion for others. Until the end of her life, Virginia tried to help any person who asked, and often did without herself. Her philosophy was always to try and give someone work and to help give them a new life. Virginia is survived by her sister, Adelina Puccini Timofeyew, brother, Orestino Puccini, nieces and nephews Ekaterina (Kathy) Timofeyew Zimmer and husband Michael Peters, Louis Puccini and wife Joan, Larry Puccini and wife Karen, Richard Puccini and wife Cassie, and Annette Puccini Crabtree and her husband Bob, several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, as well as dear friend Diana Bernal. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 with viewing at 6:30 p.m. and rosary at 7:30 p.m. at French - University Chapel, 1111 University Blvd. NE. Funeral mass will be on Thursday, February 11th at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper NW, at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at Gate of Heaven. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
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