Obituary of Virgilia M. Reeners

Virgilia (Jill) Reeners, aged 70, passed away September 25th, after a courageous battle with cancer. She fought long and hard with the same grace, discipline, and perseverance that she had imparted to the thousands of young ladies that have had the honor to have known and learned from her, not only about dance, but life. She remembered every name and treated all as equals. Jill founded the original Cortland Health & Fitness Center, coached area gymnasts, figure skaters, and cheerleaders. Dance was her lifelong career. She eventually opened her own studio which grew rapidly and treated well over 300 dancers a year. Jill's dance teams brought joy to some of the local elder facilities. Her choreography was always true to the music which helped her dance teams bring home many trophies. But that never really mattered to her, she was most interested in building her dancers' self-esteem. My tiny dancer is gone, but I know she will always be in the hearts of those who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents, Mario & Lucy Izzo, and brother-in-law Michael Taylor. She is survived by me, Jim, her husband of 48 years; her sisters Andy (Dick) Drahms, Cindy (Dick) Wilson, Chris (Mike) Taylor; her brothers Mark (Susan) Izzo, and John (Loraine) Izzo; her sons Mike (Maddie) Reeners, and Adam (Amanda) Reeners; her grandchildren Colin, Liam, and Ava Reeners, and many nieces, nephews, and their children. Her funeral arrangements are being made at St. Margret's Church in Homer. Calling hours will be 4-7 PM Friday, September 30th at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 1 at St. Margaret's Church, 14 Copeland Ave. Homer. She has asked that in lieu of flowers that you generously donate to the "Jill Reeners Memorial Fund" at www.dancestudioz.com in Cortland. So that Nikki, her longtime protege, can continue to bring the joy of dance to the less fortunate, just as Jill did throughout her career. To offer condolences online, visit www.wright-beard.com