Virginia L. Kettenburg

August 7, 1948 - June 19, 2026

Virginia Lee (Hylton) Kettenburg, 77, of Trenton received her wings on Friday morning at 4:20am.  Her courageous journey of love, laughter, friendships, hardships, trauma and tragedy have come to a close once and for all.  Alzheimer’s is a formidable beast, but after suffering from it the last 27 years of her life, experiencing new versions as the years went by, she has finally found her peace and is suffering no more.

Born in Pageton, West Virginia, and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Virginia, she was the daughter of a coalminer and a homemaker. She was a longtime resident of the Trenton area and never lost touch with her Southern roots. A proud Southern woman through and through, she cherished every opportunity to travel back home to West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee where she could reconnect with family, friends, and the places that held a special place in her heart.

Virginia was the person everyone turned to for guidance, support, and a listening ear. She was the matriarch of her family, always ready with advice, encouragement, and unconditional love with the ever-magical ability to bring everyone together. Gifted with a warm personality and an outgoing spirit, she was a true social butterfly who never met a stranger. Her circle of friends was vast, and she had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued.

Known for her larger-than-life personality, Virginia was an amazing storyteller whose tales could captivate a room and leave everyone laughing. Surprisingly, no matter how ridiculous or adventurous her stories were, they were all true experiences.  She was always the life of the party, bringing joy, energy, laughter and her beautiful smile wherever she went. She loved dancing, spending time with family and friends, and creating memories that will be cherished by those who knew and loved her. She was a master at anything she did including being able to sell you a beachfront property in Idaho.  Her vibrant spirit, infectious smile, and generous heart will be remembered always.  Virginia was fierce and would never back down.  She was the neighborhood mother and second mother to many.  People would knock on her door for her food, pies, arts and crafts, advice, medical attention, rehabilitation, the rescue of animals and the down-trodden, and she never turned anyone away. 

Predeceased by her parents, Walter Wade and Agnes (Wright) Hylton; her sisters, Phyllis Manis and Betty Gillespie; her children, Jamie Kettenburg and Dominic Clarkson; and her beloved husband, Edwin Figueroa; she is survived by her children, Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg, Joshua (Pamela) Kettenburg, Tina Clarkson, and Tammy Clarkson; grandchildren, Figueroa Legacy Hodge, Brittney Rivera, Kaitlyn and Justin Viars, and Zacharey and Reece Rodriguez; as well as several great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ 08610.

A prayer service will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Cremation will take place private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at   www.alzfdn.org 

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