Virginia ‘Ginny’ Leale Cerf Brookins, 85

Virginia “Ginny” Leale Cerf Brookins, 85, of Acton, formerly of Wayne, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving children.

Born January 18, 1940, in New York City, Ginny was the oldest child of Bianca Leale and Alexander G. H. Cerf. She grew up in Pelham, New York, and despite missing a year of school after contracting polio, she graduated from Colby Junior College and then the University of Wisconsin at age 21, having studied history and international affairs. 

After college, Ginny worked for AT&T before focusing on raising her three children and creating a loving home in Weston, Connecticut, and later Neenah, Wisconsin; Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Wayne. A dedicated volunteer, Ginny served her community in a variety of roles, including her over 40-year commitment to St. David’s Episcopal Church of Wayne and the Wayne Senior Center, where she served on the board. She was devoted to caring for the less fortunate, visiting patients in cancer wards and people who couldn’t leave their homes.

Active and gregarious, Ginny relished time with friends and family. She enjoyed tennis, entertaining, the orchestra, visiting art galleries, swimming in the ocean, and sharing her love of knitting, crafting, and reading with others. A lifelong learner, she studied horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Art History at the Barnes Museum and took piano and French lessons.

Those who knew her will remember Ginny for her abundant warmth, generosity, and concern for others. She loved to cook dinners and bake to welcome neighbors and comfort friends. She knitted countless sweaters and blankets for loved ones, and she heaped gratitude on everyone, acknowledging even the smallest acts of kindness. Ginny delighted in giving gifts, paying meticulous attention to wrapping them and writing heartfelt notes.

Ginny is survived by her brother Robert Cerf of New York City, and her loving memory will forever live on with her children Christopher Brookins of Belmont, Stephanie Manzella of South Yarmouth, formerly of Acton, and Geoffrey Brookins of New York City; her six grandchildren Charles, Emma, and Mireille Manzella, Pierce Brookins, and Parker and Reid Brookins; and son-in-law Tony Manzella, daughter-in-law Lisa Brookins, and son’s partner Sujata Tanikella.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ginny’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (fundraising.stjude.org/goto/virginiabrookins).

Arrangements are entrusted to the Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or a condolence on Ginny’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.