Main Page Gallery Audio/Video Candles Condolences Memories Life Story Edit Page
Latest Candles
 
Family Tree
177335 Create Memorial
Bookmark and Share

 

button
 
Life story
1926
 
June 28, 1926
 

Virginia was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. Her early years were spent with her only brother Jack and her parents Samuel and Viral Waye. She was known for her beautiful red hair and her fun-loving ways. As a young girl she loved to sing and laugh and dance. She and her father were the clowns of the family.

After graduating from high school, she worked as a soda jerk at the local drug store, a photographer's assistant, and a dental assistant. Virginia sang as a soloist in her church choir, at weddings, and for the USO.  And boy could she sing. 

At the end of WWII, Virginia met the love of her life, Army Air Corps Lieutenant James Wood--also a Pueblo native--recently home from Europe.  They met on a church hayride and were together for the next 45 years. Most of that time she spent as an Air Force wife, accompanying her husband on his assignments, including three years in Japan and at bases all over the United States. They were stationed three times at Edwards Air Force Base. "Woody" as she came to call him, was a combat veteran of three wars, a fighter pilot and test pilot for more than 30 years, and continued his flight test career for more than 10 years after retiring from the Air Force as a Colonel.  They resided briefly in Iran before returning to their chosen home of California. 

Virginia and Woody had three children; Diane, Susanne, and Jim, as well as three granddaughters; Stephanie, Michelle, and Rachel; and one great-granddaughter, Sierra.  Bringing up three children and maintaining a household as an Air Force wife, constantly on the move and often as a "single parent" when Woody was on TDY or overseas was not easy, but Virginia managed with grace and good humor. She cherised her years in the Air Force and all the dear friends she met along the way. She also kept busy by breeding and raising numerous poodles that were adopted by her friends and family.

After losing her beloved husband in 1990, Virginia lived in Lancaster and Roseville, California.  She volunteered for many years at Antelope Valley Hospital and had two beautiful poodles that kept her company. Her guilty pleasure was playing a down and dirty game of poker.  She usually won.

For most of her 85 years, Virginia was considered the life of the party, always ready with a joke and a smile, or accepting a challenge to stand on her head.   Right side up or upside down, Virginia was always entertaining and never, ever boring--a bright shining star that streaked across our universe.  We will never see one such as her again.  

2012
 

Passed away on June 10, 2012 in Lancaster, California surrounded by her three children.

June 10, 2012