Virginia Ann Forshee

Virginia Ann Forshee passed away at age 94, on April 3, 2018, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She had a vibrant personality that filled a room, and her passing has left a hole which will be impossible to fill. Virginia was a one-of-a-kind person who will be remembered by many, for her hard-work ethic, her farm-girl roots, her devotion to her mother, her passion for animals, and her great sense of humor. She was an outspoken person, and never left anyone wondering what she was thinking.

Virginia was born February 11,1924 on a dairy farm in Ann Arbor. She was the second daughter of Henry J. and Jane (Midgley) Forshee. Virginia had three siblings: Dorothy, Jim, and Jessie. When Virginia was 10, her father died, which made it necessary for her to work very hard on the farm. The family had a year-round stall at the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market for many years.

Virginia attended Hagen School, a one-room schoolhouse, through 8th grade. Jones Junior High School followed, and she graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1942. After High School, she was awarded a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Scholarship to attend Michigan State University’s short course on general agriculture. Virginia then contributed to the war effort by working at Ford’s Ypsilanti, MI B-24 bomber plant, at one point going to riveting school, thereby receiving a 5-cent per hour raise. She later worked at the Ann Arbor Bank as a teller, and in other positions. Virginia lived her entire life in Ann Arbor Township, where she served as Treasurer for 49 years. Her father and mother held that elected position before her, with the three of them serving as Treasurer for 74 consecutive years. In addition to her job as Treasurer, Virginia was a farmer, and one of the largest pork producers in Southeastern Michigan. She had been an active member of the Washtenaw County 4-H Club, and was also a member of the First Congregational Church. One of her favorite hobbies was driving her classic Model-T and Model-A cars with her car club.

At the age of 74, Virginia did her first marathon, a 26.2-mile power walk through Dublin, Ireland, with “Michigan Team in Training,” a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She went on to do three more full marathons, and a number of half-marathons, from New York City to Anchorage, Alaska.

Over the years, Virginia had many beloved pigs and dogs, but her Shih Tzu-Bichon mix, “Honey” was the loyal companion and friend who accompanied her everywhere for most of the last 12 years of her life. Both Virginia and Honey had many friends at the local dog park.

Virginia is survived by her brother, James Forshee; sister, Jessie Siekmeier; and brother-in-law, Verne Scott. Also she was beloved by seven nieces and nephews, Patti Scott-Baier (Rick Baier), David Scott, Jane Scott, Ann (Gerald) Crane, John Forshee, Jim (Catherine Tall) Siekmeier, and Peter (Maria Stalford) Siekmeier; 12 great nieces and nephews, Brian (Martha Susiarjo) Baier, Michael Baier, Kathryn Baier (Chad) Cherefko, Jeremy (Samantha) Crane, Emily (Marshall) Mack, Sarah (Chris) Conn, Ben Crane, Abby Crane, Ryan Scott, Drew Scott, Kara Scott, and Claire Siekmeier; step children Richard (Karen) Amo, Scott Amo, and Colleen (Fred) Swan; and four step grandchildren, Kaitlin Amo, David Swan, Kaitlyn (Marcus Gray) Swan, and Brian Swan. Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved older sister Dorothy Scott and brother-in-law Donald Siekmeier, and by her ex-husband Dick Amo.

Cremation has taken place, and there will be a memorial service on June 16, at 11 AM, at the First Congregational Church, 608 E. William, Ann Arbor, MI, Rev. Darcy Crain, presiding. Reception to follow.

Virginia always wished she had been able to attend college, and with the help of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the Virginia A. Forshee Scholarship Fund was established to award need-based scholarships to female students in Washtenaw County. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, with "Forshee Scholarship Fund" in the memo line, 301 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Ann Arbor MI 48104. Online gifts can be made at aaacf.org/forshee.