Virginia Morris, 84
Virginia Morris, 84, passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Sunday on April 6, 2008, in the presence of her family. Virginia was born May 29, 1923, in Greencastle, Ind., the second child of Harold and Pauline Ducat.
On Aug. 10, 1944, Virginia enlisted in the United States Navy and served at the USN Dental School in Bethesda, Md. After serving her country, she was honorably discharged in April 1946.
John and Virginia Morris were married Feb. 12, 1949, in Toledo, Ohio. They were married for 59 years. In 1959, John and Virginia moved their family to Scottsdale, Ariz., where Virginia worked part-time as a bookkeeper, but primarily worked at raising her children.
Virginia was actively involved in the Extension Homemakers, Girl Scouts of America, and Cub Scouts. She was an expert seamstress and gifted cook, which made her an excellent stay-at-home mom.
John and Virginia also loved to travel and spend time outdoors with their family. On one of their many family camping trips, they discovered the community where they would retire.
John and Virginia moved to the small town of Overgaard in the mountains of northern Arizona in the early 1980s. With their own two hands they built their retirement home. They lived very happily in Overgaard, surrounded by many friends and the beauty of the land.
Virginia was extensively involved in the community, participating in the Quilters' Guild, the Community Center, and even an archaeology class at the local community college. When Virginia wasn't sewing, quilting, or making homemade jam, cookies, or pies, she loved to hunt for pottery and arrowheads with her grandchildren.
Virginia was blessed with many dear friends in Overgaard, and she and her friend, Doreen, frequently could be found at weekend yard sales hunting for treasures.
In 2002, at the age of 79, John and Virginia moved to Kalispell, to be near their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. They all worked together to build a home near Foy's Lake, where the family continues to reside.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Pauline Ducat; her sister, Carol Marsh; and her brother, Mike Ducat.
She is survived by her husband, John, and her daughter and son-in-law, Tim and Sarah Severson, of Kalispell. Virginia is also survived by five grandchildren, Kristen (26), Jake (23), Rylee (19) and husband, Justin, Timi (12) and Tyrun (9). She is also survived by a special little great-grandson, Gaibryl (8 months). Her youngest sister, Jo Rogers, and Jo's husband, Tom, still reside in Florida. Her brother-in-law, Chet Marsh, and niece, Sharon Denton, reside in California. Her sister-in-law, Polly Lewis, niece, Judy, and her husband, Jim, reside in Michigan.
All who encountered Virginia Morris met a woman full of life and love. She was known to always offer a kind word, a token of her gratitude, or a plateful of cookies. Virginia was an extraordinary lady, the ultimate mom and grandma, and a true woman of grace. Virginia touched the lives of everyone she met, and will be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved her for many years to come.
There will be no open memorial service for Virginia, but donations may be made in her honor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Salvation Army, or the Montana Food Bank.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Virginia's family. You are invited to visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences or sign Virginia's guest book.