Longtime Kansas Citian, Virginia G. Stowers, wife of 60 years to James E. Stowers Jr., and beloved to 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren died peacefully at her home in Kansas City, MO, on June 5, 2021.
Born and raised in Wyoming, Virginia attended St. Joseph School of Nursing, Denver, Colo., an affiliate of Regis University, and then studied at Research Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City, where she was licensed as a registered nurse in 1952.
That same year Virginia met her husband-to-be at a Research Hospital holiday party. Family lore holds that Jim was mildly rebuffed when he attempted to woo her with a candy cane. But in a 2010 joint interview, Virginia confessed, “when I saw Jim across the room, I thought, I’m going to find out who that man is and marry him.” Jim retorted, “If I’d known that I would have asked you right then!” Jim and Virginia were married on February 4, 1954.
She has been described as a unique blend of the pioneer woman and the modern lady. She was a wife, a mother, a professional healthcare provider and a supportive partner to a successful entrepreneur. Jim credits much of his success to Virginia. He once said it was her patience and support through countless early struggles that helped him keep his focus on the goal of achieving financial independence.
Though affluent in years, Virginia continued to raise her four children frugally, teaching them to live sensibly and within their means. An excellent seamstress, Virginia made many of the daughters’ clothes, a skill she passed down to them. She also loved knitting for all of her family and many friends, especially the little ones.
Jim and Virginia and three of their children are also cancer survivors. They fought the disease and successfully came through this life-changing event with purpose. Together they share a dream that no one will have to fear the words, “you have cancer.”
Having survived their cancer battles, Virginia co-founded the Stowers Institute for Medical Research with her late husband on Sept. 26, 1994, using the wealth they accumulated as significant equity owners of American Century. Virginia and Jim wanted to give back something vastly more valuable than money to the countless people who made their lives so meaningful. It is their greatest hope that they can return the gifts they’ve received through an environment of unparalleled scientific research, creating hope for life for generations.
Virginia served on the board of directors for American Century Companies, Inc., since March 17, 2014. There could not be a more fitting tribute to the memory of her husband than to serve as a director on the board of the company he built into the successful asset management firm it is today. She did a wonderful job representing the interests of American Century’s stakeholders.
Virginia led the board of Trustees at the Stowers Foundation. It was through this organization she was able to share her financial success with so many deserving organizations doing such great work in areas such as life science, education and family social issues. This work had a huge influence on so many people in need and has given her such pride in knowing she has helped those less fortunate.
In 2010, Virginia and Jim joined other philanthropists in signing the “Giving Pledge.” The pledge called on signatories to give away more than 50 percent of their wealth to charity during their life or at death. Through their generous gifts of cash and stock to the Stowers Institute, they had already given away the majority of their wealth.
She holds honorary doctorates from the University of Missouri - Kansas City; University of Saint Mary; Rockhurst University; and Research College of Nursing.
Her special sanctuary for over 50 years is in La Jolla, Calif., a sunny place where all of her family gathers to create precious memories. Never would a visit be complete without assembling a 1000-piece puzzle, partaking in baking and consuming grandma’s famous desserts, most notably her cookies.
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Clayton F. Glascock and Gertrude W. Driscoll; her wonderful husband of 60 years, James Stowers Jr.; and their oldest daughter Pamela. She is survived by her older brother William Glascock and wife Nancy of Eugene, Ore.; daughter Kathleen Stowers-Potter (Jim Potter) of Denver, Colo..; her son James Stowers III (Michele) of Mission Hills, Kan.; and daughter Linda Stowers (Chuck Mackey) of Kansas City, Mo. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lauren Hume (Stephan), Ryan Contillo, Alex Johnson, Layne Stowers and James Stowers IV. In addition, her two great-grandchildren gave her renewed life and purpose, sweet yet determined Lylah and Elliot. The joy and happiness they brought to Oooma these past few years was priceless and memorable.
The family thanks her wonderful healthcare teams at the University of Kansas and Scripps-La Jolla, the numerous, invaluable and loving caregivers from KC Hospice and her extraordinarily helpful and dear friends Karen Barber and Carrie Hill.
Services will be held at 10:00 am on June 11, 2021, at Village Presbyterian Church - 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas. There is limited seating due to the pandemic, yet the service will be live streamed via https://www.villagepres.org/online.html. (link below)
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Operation Breakthrough or Rose Brooks.
