Virginia Marie LaChapelle Holombo, 88

Virginia Marie LaChapelle HoIombo, 88, a longtime former resident of Kalispell, passed away peacefully in Laguna Woods, Calif., on July 17, 2005.

She was born in Spokane, the daughter of Alice and Joe LaChapelle, on March 3, 1917. The family moved to Great Falls, where she graduated from high school.

She met and married George Holombo and moved to Kalispell, where they raised their five children.

Virginia worked as a portrait retoucher and used her artistic skills to color the black-and-white photographs of the time. She became an avid photographer herself, developing her own photos in her lab, and was an active member of the local camera club. Virginia's photography earned many "best of show" and other awards over the years.

She was an excellent seamstress who designed beautiful gowns and clothing and won many awards for her creations.

She enjoyed the outdoors, boating on Flathead Lake, hiking in Glacier Park and had the greenest of green thumbs with her gardens.

Virginia and her husband, George, owned Flathead Floor Coverings and Window Designs on Main Street in Kalispell. In 1981, they retired to the city of Carlsbad in Southern California.

Sadly, her daughter Andrea died in 1991, and her husband of 59 years, George, in 1994.

Virginia is survived by her sister, Eve Lawlor, of New Hampshire; and children, Gerald, and wife, Janie, of Foster City, Calif., Lynette Lavin of Helena, Laurel Hunter and husband, Alex, of Dove Canyon, Calif., and Gregory Holombo of Kalispell. Ginny has four wonderful grandchildren, Stacy Lavin and wife, Michelle, Rob Holombo and wife, Irene, Jay Holombo and wife, Holly, and Steve Lavin and wife, Amy; also 10 delightful great-grandchildren.

All her children, grandchildren and friends will miss her ready smile, her kindness, her sweet and cheerful nature and mostly her love and caring.

Funeral services will be at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, Calif.