Age 80, Luray, Va.
The family of Veronica Anne Wood Kauffman, 80, of Luray, Va., is very sad to share the passing of their beloved family matriarch on November 29, 2023.
Ronnie, as her closest friends called her, was born on July 14, 1943 in Chelmsford, England. After completing secondary school, Ronnie moved to Munich, Germany where she worked as a nanny to the Petersen family for six years. While in Germany she gave birth to her daughter, Jeanette, in 1968.
Ronnie moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1968 and worked as a switchboard operator for the Montgomery Ward Company, where she met her second husband, Stephen Kauffman. Steve and Ronnie married on April 16, 1972 and enjoyed 37 years of marriage before Steve’s death on March 5, 2010. During those years, Ronnie and Steve gave birth to their son, Greg, in 1975, moved from Hyattsville, Maryland to the family homestead at Kauffman’s Mill in Luray, Va. in 1977, and Ronnie became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States in 1980.
Many will remember Ronnie as the owner and operator of the Mill-End Craft & Frame Shoppe in downtown Luray for more than 20 years. Crafting was always her passion and she touched so many lives through her store. From painting, wreath-making, and cake decorating classes, to custom framing, to the hundreds of Christmas bows she would make for customers every holiday season. She retired and sold the building in 2008, but her paint brushes and floral wire were always within arm’s reach.
While not crafting, Ronnie could usually be found planting in her garden, baking treats or making pickles in her kitchen, or enjoying a good book on her front porch with a fresh cup of Earl Grey tea or hazelnut coffee. Her favorite hobby, though, was bragging about her five grandchildren; she loved being “Nanny” to Brandon, Lauren, Gracie, Ella and Charlie.
Ronnie was a board member for the Page County Heritage Association and was always deeply involved in the Heritage Festival, both as a craft vendor for many years and as a vendor coordinator for the past several years. After Steve’s passing, she engaged in additional volunteer work at the Page One Food Pantry and the Valley Health Free Clinic.
Ronnie is survived by her daughter, Jeanette Kite (husband John Kite); her son, Greg Kauffman (wife Karyn Kauffman); five grandchildren, Brandon Richards (32), Lauren Kite (26), Gracie Kauffman (18), Ella Kauffman (15), and Charles Kauffman (12); one great-grandchild on the way; one sister, Gillian Frampton (husband Keith Frampton); and so many loving extended family members and friends.
Ronnie is preceded in death by her husband, Steve Kauffman; her parents, John and Rose Wood; and her older brother, Spencer Wood.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 12 to 2 p.m., immediately followed by a funeral ceremony at the Bradley Funeral Home in Luray with Rev. Cathy Tibbetts officiating. A private burial will be held in the family cemetery at Kauffman’s Mill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation this holiday season to Page One or the Page County Heritage Association. Both organizations were near and dear to Ronnie.
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