Virginia LiVolsi, a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine, died on March 7. She was 80.

Dr. LiVolsi was born in the Bronx and attended the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She went on to receive her medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She then taught at Yale University for eight years before joining the faculty at Penn’s School of Medicine in 1983 as a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine.

In addition to this position, Dr. Liviolsi served as director of surgical pathology; in 2007, she became the chief of anatomical pathology. During her career at Penn, she worked extensively on endocrine and head and neck pathology, publishing over 450 original articles, numerous reviews, chapters, and several books. She was a member of the editorial boards of several pathology and endocrine journals. Her expertise in thyroid pathology has been recognized around the world.

Outside of her work, she loved music and sang in her church choir, enjoyed needlework, and cared for her cats.

A private viewing and mass were held on March 12 at Saint John Neumann Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. LiVolsi’s name can be made to Morris Animal Refuge.