Thursday, October 1, 2026
In the early morning hours of June 5, Virginia Edna Kostelyk’s (Leavitt) loving and enormous heart took its final beat at the age of 94 years old. And although we knew it would happen, we never actually thought it would. Maybe because her life was lived to the absolute fullest, even up until the very last day. If you knew her, you know she lived multiple different lifetimes. When one ended, she didn’t miss a beat starting another one.
In 1948, she caught the eye of a blond haired blue-eyed Dutchman at the local town dance. His name was Jacob Kostelyk, and simply went by the name of Jack. They married on April 15,1949, despite her mom’s feigned heart attack trying to stop it, because in her head her daughter was to become a businesswoman.
If only she could have seen the things in store for her daughter.
Jack and Virginia married and had four children: Marcia Faith, Daniel Jay, Jordan Dean and Dorian Leigh. Those who knew Virginia knew she didn’t do anything halfway. If she was going to do it, she was all in. While raising her children, she decided to pursue her love of education. She obtained a bachelors in theology and completed her registered nursing training, utilizing the two-year program rather than the four-year program, again, because why do something halfway.
She worked in a variety of doctor offices, long-term-care facilities, and blessed so many with her compassionate nature. She had such a heart for the Jewish community. She traveled to Israel multiple times, and spent months dedicated to caring for families there on her trips.
Her passion for politics, and making her voice heard, made her an advocate of her time. She marched on Washington, made public service announcements and was extremely active in her local Concerned Woman for America group, making sure she acted on her beliefs instead of just talking about them.
In 1998, her and her husband began a new life in San Diego. They felt like their time in Washington was done for the moment, and it was time to begin another chapter in their lives together. They moved to Point Loma, where they enjoyed the sunshine, daily walks, and hosting many of their friends and family. If you went down to see them, you were in for a treat. Virginia would never let you come down and just sit around. She had a beautiful and fun itinerary that would ensure you went away from their home with an abundance of memories.
After her husband of over 50 years passed, she decided to start another chapter. She left her Point Loma residence and moved to Bellingham. This was where her life began a new chapter, and it felt only appropriate that this should be the full circle moment of coming back.
She enjoyed 17 years living in her beautiful home there. She was able to enjoy many years reconnecting with her brother Al, and multiple cousins she hadn’t seen or talked to in many years. Along with that, she made multiple new friends as she became active in her local senior center, monthly service at the Norway Hall pancake breakfast, multiple pinochle groups, and a host of other activities.
When that chapter began to come to an end, she decided to sell that house and live out the remainder of her days in what she would refer to as her “doll house” on Camano Island. It was small, had a water view, and she felt extremely happy and comfortable.
She enjoyed two beautiful summers there. Enjoying the water view, the family and friends who would visit, and the wonderful freedom of independence up until her very last breath. If anyone could write their perfect ending, we can only hope it would be as perfect as this. Up until her very last day, she lived on her own. Her wish was to pass in her sleep, in her home, in her bed. It’s like God allowed her to write her own ending.
She will be deeply missed by her children, Daniel Kostelyk, Jordan Kostelyk and Dorian Kostelyk; grandchildren Crystal Dean, Benjamin Dixon, Jared Kostelyk, Jayson Kostelyk, Joshua Kostelyk, Heather Jacobo, Heidi Alaniz, Tiffany Lucus, and Jordan Kostelyk. As well as too many great grandchildren to list.
She has, however, been reunited with her oldest daughter, Marcia Slade, who passed earlier this year.
We will be honoring her incredible life Thursday, June 19, at Purdy and Walters Floral Hills Funeral Home in Bothell, with a graveside service beginning at 2 p.m. (viewing at 1 p.m. for those interested). We will also be having a Celebration of Life at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds, where Virginia not only attended, but worked for many years, on July 12 at 1 p.m.
