By Michelle Tarnopolsky
At Syracuse Florence, we are privileged to be part of countless stories that span continents, generations, and lifetimes. One such story is that of Virginia Arey Querci—a woman whose life was as vibrant and layered as the art she created. Following her recent passing, her son and personal assistant Merita Marashi made a heartfelt donation of Virginia’s art supplies to our studio art department. This generous gesture not only enriches our program but also invites us to reflect on the extraordinary life of a truly unique alumna.
Born in Boston in 1928, Virginia’s artistic journey began at the Boston Museum School and continued at the Yale School of Fine Arts. In her early 20s she travelled to Italy, including a bike trip that ended in Florence. But it was a serendipitous moment in Paris that would alter the course of her life. While walking along the Seine, she heard an Italian singing from a boat and was overcome with emotion. “I have to go back to Florence,” she told her friend. A nearby woman overheard and offered a connection to a countess in Florence. That chance encounter led Virginia to a home along the Arno River—and to the city that would become her lifelong muse.
In Florence, Virginia studied under the renowned painter Pietro Annigoni and immersed herself in the local art scene. She married a Florentine and had three children. After his untimely death, she found lasting love with her second husband, with whom she shared six decades and a son who now lives in Milan.
Virginia’s connection to Syracuse Florence began in the 1970s, when she enrolled in our program and, remarkably, completed an entire Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts through our Florence campus—an extraordinary feat for an American abroad at the time. Her career as a visual artist was rich and expressive, though often balanced with her roles as wife and mother. She exhibited her work in Italy, the UK, and the US, and was represented by the British gallery Bilmes Hawkins & Co. Her painted tapestries—evocative of 17th-century wall hangings—captured the essence of Tuscan landscapes and architecture with a timeless grace.
Virginia lived in Fiesole, a hilltop town just above Florence. It was there that she met Merita Marashi in 2016. What began as a job quickly became a deep bond. Just six days after Merita began working with Virginia, the older woman’s husband passed away. From that moment, the two women became inseparable—more like family than employer and assistant. “She treated me like a treasure,” Merita shared, her voice still heavy with grief.
Virginia remained fiercely independent into her 90s—driving, living alone, and painting every day. She was curious, joyful, and always eager to discuss everything from politics to Harry Potter. She left behind a significant body of work and a legacy of creativity, resilience, and warmth.
We are deeply grateful for the donation of her art supplies, which will inspire and support future generations of artists at Syracuse Florence. More than that, we are honored to have been a part of Virginia’s remarkable journey—a journey that began with a song on the Seine and found its home in the heart of Tuscany.