Virginia VanAllen

Sometimes it's something simple like a smile or a touch on the shoulder, other times it might be a life spent together in marriage that make us realize that we are all connected to one another. As we mourn the death and celebrate the life of Virginia VanAllen, let us recall the ways large and small that her life forever shaped our own

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, parents, Albert Carl and Lucy (Chapman) Schultz welcomed into their family, daughter Virginia on October 16, 1909. Virginia entered into a family of 12 as the youngest of the bunch. Her mother had eight children from a previous marriage and two with Virginia's father, Albert. Virginia was born the same year that the first explorers arrived at the North Pole and the New York Times published the first movie review. Virginia's family house was near Borgess Hospital. The family didn't have a whole lot, so something little like buying a Coney Island Hotdog for a nickel was a big deal. Even though Virginia was very close with her sister Madelyn, she spent a lot of time alone after their brother Albert died.

Virginia finished school through the 8th grade and became a stay at home mom and got a job working at an insurance company. On a trip to see a friend in Danville, IL, Virginia was introduced to Marion "Van" VanAllen. It was nothing short of love at first sight. On the 10th of July, 1934, Virginia and Van publicly expressed their love for one another and were married by the Justice of the Peace in South Bend, Indiana. However, there was a delay. The Justice was out to lunch and they had to wait for him to return. While they were waiting they listened to the first baseball all-star game. They were eventually married and as newlyweds moved to Danville.

Van was a salesman who worked hard to provide for his family. He was in sales his whole life and as something extra, he even translated a number of books into Braille. Van sold everything, ranging from vacuum cleaners to encyclopedias, if people needed it, he tried to sell it. When he and Virginia decided to have kids, Howard and Virginia were born two years and two months apart. They played outside a lot in the '50's, enjoying their big side yard on Humphrey St. Virginia's parents lived in the upstairs unit and she, Van and the kids lived in the downstairs unit. The family had a pet parakeet and would take stray cats into the family from time to time.

If ever something was missing around the house, Virginia was the go-to-girl/woman as she was able to find anything, even in obvious spots where other's simply overlooked. Sunday night dinners were organized around half-time of the Detroit Lion's football games. Some of Virginia's favorite meals include: Swiss steak, breaded pork chops, angel food cake with whipped cream frosting, fried chicken and chicken fried steak.

As her children grew older, many things changed in Virginia's life. Howard went off to serve in the US Air Force and her parent's health declined. Her mother contracted TB and moved to the TB sanitarium where she lived for several years before her death. As her father's health began to deteriorate to the point disability, he would rap on the floor with a hammer to signal his need for assistance, a simple but effective way to communicate with his daughter, his care giver.

Earlier in her life, Virginia was quite fond of reading, but as time went on, she spent more time with their new television set watching Lawrence Welk and Tool Time. Virginia very much loved to dance and was always willing to try out a variety of different dance halls. There were nights where Virginia would stay out past two in the morning. She'd been out at one of their "dancing breakfasts" with her 'golden girl' dance buddies at Denny's.

Her affection for her family however, rose above everything else, from taking care of her parents to playing with her grandchildren. In 1963, Virginia was widowed, with the death of her husband and father of her children. She was fifty-four when he died. Virginia survived through her thriftiness, making it by on their savings and eventually with the help of social security.

After suffering from the dementia for several years, Virginia's life ended at the age of 96. She lived a full life, a life of love for family and joy for life. As our lives continue on, in all that we do, let her love and joy live on in our hearts forever.

Virginia VanAllen died on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at the Upjohn Continuing Care Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion VanAllen in 1963, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. Virginia's family includes her children, Howard (Renee') VanAllen of Camarillo, CA, Virginia (Robert) Graham of Kalamazoo, 3 grandchildren; Michael (Karla) VanAllen, Melinda (Terry) Lowrie, Sarah (Brian) Bither and 3 great-grandchildren; Eli, Hailey VanAllen and Gordon Lowrie.

Friends may visit with Virginia's family on Sunday, February 12th, 2006 from 2 - 4 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive, West of 131. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, February 13, 2006, at11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Msgr. Michael Hazard as Celebrant. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow back at the church hall. Please visit Virginia's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to St. Joseph Church.