TRAVERSE CITY - Virginia Ann Sheffer was greeted on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, by her Lord and Savior, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born to George and Isa Valleau on Aug. 21, 1926, Virginia was raised in Traverse City. On Sept. 23, 1944, Francis "Butch" Sheffer and Virginia Valleau were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Francis Church in Traverse City by the Rev. Wm. J. Schueller. Virginia and Butch were very fortunate to have shared over 62 years of their lives together.
Virginia's proudest moments were spent visiting her seven children and their spouses, 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way in May.
Her children, Tom (Sue), Sue (Jerry) Swift, Jim (Chris), John (Darlene), Jerry (Nancy), Judy (Barb) and Dan (Jane) all live in the greater Grand Traverse Region.
Mom worried our worries and cheered our cheers. She was always available to her family, extended family and friends, and she enjoyed their visits, lunches out, phone conversations, and letters and notes immensely. She often spoke of the joy she felt that all seven of their children were born healthy and were happy individuals. Mom never ran out of love for any of us, and not one child was better than another.
Virginia attended St. Francis School, and in her later years graduated from Traverse City Senior High School with her family, which included husband, children and many grandchildren, cheering her on as she crossed the stage with her bright and shining smile.
After the children were grown, Virginia proudly worked at Munson Medical Center and later volunteered for the Munson Auxiliary. She loved being with all sorts of new friends and colleagues.
She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, growing and nurturing her huge indoor plants, square dancing with her husband for many years, and watching the birds and squirrels play on the outside of her living room window. She enjoyed sitting side by side with her loving and devoted husband, reading and talking together over the many years.