Virginia was born in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Harold Bird Sr. and Margaret (McNarland). She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1976, and went on to Muskegon Community College. She later graduated from Western Michigan University with an education degree.
She married the love of her life, Thomas Chester, on August 16, 1980, and they had two sons, Philip and David. She was a substitute teacher for many years, and later taught sixth-grade science and then second-grade at Holton Public Schools.
She was a member of the Reeths-Puffer Band Parents, and was voted "Band Parent of the Year" in 2004. She enjoyed children, teaching, music and camping. After an heroic battle with cancer, she died at home surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her parents; her beloved husband of 27 years, Tom; her sons, Philip and David; her sister, Vivian (Ira) Hite of Whitehall; two brothers, Harold (Myra) Bird Jr. and Vernon (Denice) Bird; parents-in-law, Arthur and Jean Chester; and many nieces and nephews. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend who is greatly loved and will always be missed.
She married the love of her life, Thomas Chester, on August 16, 1980, and they had two sons, Philip and David. She was a substitute teacher for many years, and later taught sixth-grade science and then second-grade at Holton Public Schools.
She was a member of the Reeths-Puffer Band Parents, and was voted "Band Parent of the Year" in 2004. She enjoyed children, teaching, music and camping. After an heroic battle with cancer, she died at home surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her parents; her beloved husband of 27 years, Tom; her sons, Philip and David; her sister, Vivian (Ira) Hite of Whitehall; two brothers, Harold (Myra) Bird Jr. and Vernon (Denice) Bird; parents-in-law, Arthur and Jean Chester; and many nieces and nephews. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend who is greatly loved and will always be missed.
Virginia was born in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Harold Bird Sr. and Margaret (McNarland). She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1976, and went on to Muskegon Community College. She later graduated from Western Michigan University with an education degree.
She married the love of her life, Thomas Chester, on August 16, 1980, and they had two sons, Philip and David. She was a substitute teacher for many years, and later taught sixth-grade science and then second-grade at Holton Public Schools.
She was a member of the Reeths-Puffer Band Parents, and was voted "Band Parent of the Year" in 2004. She enjoyed children, teaching, music and camping. After an heroic battle with cancer, she died at home surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her parents; her beloved husband of 27 years, Tom; her sons, Philip and David; her sister, Vivian (Ira) Hite of Whitehall; two brothers, Harold (Myra) Bird Jr. and Vernon (Denice) Bird; parents-in-law, Arthur and Jean Chester; and many nieces and nephews. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend who is greatly loved and will always be missed.
She married the love of her life, Thomas Chester, on August 16, 1980, and they had two sons, Philip and David. She was a substitute teacher for many years, and later taught sixth-grade science and then second-grade at Holton Public Schools.
She was a member of the Reeths-Puffer Band Parents, and was voted "Band Parent of the Year" in 2004. She enjoyed children, teaching, music and camping. After an heroic battle with cancer, she died at home surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her parents; her beloved husband of 27 years, Tom; her sons, Philip and David; her sister, Vivian (Ira) Hite of Whitehall; two brothers, Harold (Myra) Bird Jr. and Vernon (Denice) Bird; parents-in-law, Arthur and Jean Chester; and many nieces and nephews. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend who is greatly loved and will always be missed.
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Married Aug 16, 1980
