Virginia Tufte Surber

Virginia Tufte Surber, 81, of Chesapeake Beach passed from time into eternity, August 12, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 14, 1945 in Staten Island, NY to Willy Johannesson Tufte and Margaret Helen Folli (formerly Margaret Tufte, nee Rossini). Virginia (Gini) was raised in Staten Island and graduated from St. John’s Villa High School. She met James (Jim) V. Surber as a teenager and they were married in 1964. She and Jim moved to Glen Ridge, NJ, where they raised their two daughters, Deborah (Deb) and Caroline (Carl); Gini was a devoted mother.

When her daughters were grown and moved away to school, Gini enrolled back in college to complete her long-awaited degree; she graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics / Nutrition. In spring of 1989, she completed a comprehensive internship at UMDNJ to advance all aspects of dietician training. She earned the Registered Dietician (RD) credential in late fall 1989. She was proud of the hard work in earning her RD designation, allowing her to do more in depth work with patients/ clients. Gini loved working at the Valley Hospital in New Jersey as a RD. She was a member of many professional organizations, pertaining to her career.

In 1997, she and Jim retired to Gouldsboro, PA, and then in 2006 they moved to Maryland to be closer to family. When her beloved husband, Jim, passed away in 2007, her daughters became her caregivers and she lived primarily in MD, with extended stays in NJ, until 2013 when her health precluded travel and she remained in MD. Caroline, lovingly and steadfastly, along with family members and a small team of home health aides, provided care for her at home. In 2023, Gini moved to Sunrise Assisted Living in Annapolis, where she became a cherished member of their community.

Her easy and vibrant smile, drew people in. Her warmth, kindness, care, and generosity kept them close. She always made time to listen and offer some encouragement. She was steadfast in prayer throughout her life, and especially more fervent in prayer, as her ability for activities dwindled.

While Gini had a life long love for shopping, in her earlier days, she enjoyed all kinds of artistic and athletic endeavors. She enjoying boating and sailing, horseback riding, summer volleyball league, gourmet cooking, aerobics and pilates, crafts, making cards, scrapbooks, sewing, crocheting, and more recently painting. She was generous with her time, talent, and treasure… always quick to take someone to lunch, send a hand made baby blanket, or send a thoughtful gift. She was generous to her church, missionaries, and the Christian ministries she faithfully supported through the decades, especially the Billy Graham Ministry. She was an active church member and Women’s Bible study member throughout most of her adult life; she enjoyed those friendships deeply and thoroughly. Once in MD, she was a member of Calvert Grace Church in Owings.

Gini was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Surber, DDS; grandson John Driscoll, her father Willy Tufte, mother Margaret Folli, stepmother Viola Tufte, stepfather Albert Folli, brother Hank Tufte, cousin George Tufte, Aunt Amelia Folli, Aunt Louise Gozidlow, Aunt Gloria Colalillo, Aunt Angela Folli, Uncle Arthur Folli, cousin Megan Folli, cousin Arthur Folli Jr.

She is survived by her devoted daughters- Deborah Caulfield and her husband, Christopher; and Caroline Driscoll and husband Jerry; grandchildren- Owen, Emily, Annalise, Evan, Julian, and Nathan; siblings- Diane Runfola, Carol McClaran, Margie Miller, “sister” cousin Gwen Grodman, cousin Peter Tufte, cousin Gregory Folli, as well a many other beloved family members and friends.

Gini would want you to know, that although she knew extended suffering, she did not consider that the sufferings of this present time worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18); that she was sure, God is faithful! He who began a good work in her will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6); and finally, she would want you to remember and be encouraged that “we do not grieve as others do, who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Christ Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thes 4:13-14). On the other side of time, Gini lives forevermore healed and whole, free of every earthly encumbrance, joyfully in the presence of her Lord and Savior; rejoice and hallelujah.